Story & photos courtesy of Ustigate Waterplay.
Hinksey Park is a wonderful green and watery haven for people and wildlife, just a 15-minute walk or cycle from Oxford City Centre. There are plentiful activities on offer with tennis courts, an outdoor swimming pool, playground and sand pit, table tennis, Splashpad®, and a meandering walkway that winds past a pond, woodland areas, and a stunning lake.
Challenge:
The park’s splash pad was deteriorating due to its age. And because water play had always been a popular part of the Hinksey Park experience, Oxford City sought to carry out a refurbishment. The new aquatic play facility needed to be safe, fun, and sustainable, with a range of interactive features, as well as enhancements to optimize water usage.
Success:
The project was funded by a £100,000 grant from FCC Communities Foundation, with the remaining investment provided by Oxford City Council. The City collaborated with Ustigate on the design of a year-round play space that features a new splash pad as well as a balance bike and scooter track. Work began in September 2024, and the new 481 m2 splash park and mini-wheels track opened at Hinksey Park on April 4, 2025.
Hinksey Park’s new aquatic play space was extremely popular during its opening 2025 season, attracting local families and visitors. It is bursting with play value, featuring Vortex features that appeal to all ages and abilities. Large, colorful features like Splash Trio, Leaf No2, and Aqualien Flower No2 beckon passersby. And smaller features such as Alto No1, Spiroo, Helio No3, and a variety of ground sprays delight even the littlest water explorer.
The flowthrough water management system includes feature activation and sequencing for efficient use of water, while heightening the play experience.
On November 13, 2025, Ustigate, along with other project collaborators, was delighted to receive a Community Impact Award for the “Hinksey Little Wheels and Wet Play Park” from the Oxford Preservation Trust.
In Action
Testimonials
« We’re pleased to be able to provide this free leisure facility for families in Oxford. Water play has been part of Hinksey Park since the 1960s, and the new splash park continues that tradition with a modern, sustainable design. The addition of a mini-wheels track means there’s something for children to enjoy all year round. We’re proud to invest in our local community and play areas to support local communities and outdoor play. »
« We are delighted to have worked with the City Council to fund this project for the local community to enjoy. It’s great to see it now open and available for use…Thank you to everyone who has worked so hard on this project. »
