Sports enthusiasts including cricket fans, tennis lovers and walkers from the Oxford Road have launched a campaign with their local councillors Chris Maskell and Gul Khan to win improvements and investment from Reading Borough Council to the popular and well used Kensington Road Recreation Ground.

Campaigners, young and old who regularly use the Rec want to see a cricket square constructed for young cricket enthusiasts; a paved path around the outskirts of the Rec for disabled users, older users, parents with push chairs, wet weather use, plus for young children to learn to ride their bicycles safely; a tennis court for budding tennis stars and extra benches for people to sit on and enjoy the view.

Councillor Chris Maskell said –

‘This Park is heavily used by local residents of all ages for all kinds of leisure activities from football to cricket, martial arts to basketball. Extra facilities would be a real bonus and would further encourage use of this excellent green space. I am delighted to back this campaign and hope we can win extra funding from the Council.’

Councillor Gul Khan said - 

‘I regularly walk in Kensington Road Rec with my grandchildren and am impressed with the large numbers of people who enjoy the Park and its playground for all kinds of sport and leisure activities. It is brilliant to see so many people getting fresh air and exercise and I hope we can make this facility even better and more accessible to the local community.’

Ben Wicks, young cricket fanatic said –

‘It’s mad that I live two streets from Kensington Road Rec and have to walk all the way to Prospect Park to use a cricket square –me and my mates try and play cricket every night to improve, we use the Rec a lot and want to practice on a proper cricket square. I hope the council will agree to provide facilities and invest in us as young people.’

Brenton Cooke, cricket fanatic, said –

‘I’m mad on cricket too and really want to see better facilities in the Rec for us and for all users. We are trying to get some competitive matches and are due to play to friendly match against Theale and Tilehurst soon. A proper cricket square would make the all the difference.’

Lee, local resident and father of three young children said –

‘Kensington Road Rec is a great local facility. I love it and bring my kids here almost on a daily basis in the summer. The children’s playground is great and really well used. Now I want to teach my kids to ride bikes in safety so a paved path would be just the ticket. I also think there should be more tennis facilities for youngsters in this area, we should provide more sports opportunities for all in the run up to the London Olympics 2012.’