Winning school designs for refurbished Leighton Buzzard splash park revealed
The schools whose designs have been chosen for the refurbished splash and play facility in Leighton Buzzard have been revealed.
The splash park on Parsons Close in the town, which opened in 2011 and has attracted around 250,000 visitors per year since then, is being upgraded in time for the 2026 season.
As part of this upgrade new water play equipment, a revamped splash pad, an energy-saving pump, a foot wash and sand traps are being installed.
Among the new equipment set to be installed are a Twinsplash, a large tipping bucket that offers users a duo of splashes, a 3D bee character – which is set to be the first in the country – and a snail with 360-degree rotation and water amplification.
And as part of the refurbishment, schoolchildren across the town were invited to create designs for the splash park’s new floor, with all lower schools invited to enter a single design.
The theme was In Nature, with judges choosing the winners based on the creativity and originality of the design, the practicality of its installation and its visual appeal to children.
Mary Bassett Lower School, located on Bassett Road, had its submission chosen for the floor, while Beaudesert Lower School, located on Appenine Way, had its design chosen for the back wall and the side of the café building.
Cat Lowman from Leighton Linslade Town Council’s grounds team told the LBO: “It was fantastic to see the children’s reaction [at Mary Bassett] when they saw their artwork brought to life by the design team at Ustigate – the big “WOW!” said it all!
“The children at Beaudesert Lower were especially excited to learn that mural artist Daniel Eaton once attended their school – such a special full-circle moment!
“Huge congratulations to all the talented pupils involved – their creativity has helped shape something truly special for the whole community to enjoy.”
An opening ceremony is taking place on Friday May 1 for the refurbished facility, which officially opens to the public on Saturday May 2.
The town council has already confirmed the facility will remain open for longer and will be free to use.