THE redesign of the Colchester Castle Park play area has been shortlisted for a national award.
Led by Colchester Council, the project has been shortlisted for the ‘Best use of data or research in a district council’ category at the LARIA Research Impact Awards 2026.
The project gathered feedback from hundreds of children through school visits, family outreach, and child-friendly engagement activities.
Chris Pearson, councillor responsible for economic growth, transformation and digital, said: "This project showed the enormous value of listening to all our residents but most importantly to children in a meaningful way.
"Their creativity and honesty shaped the final design of what will be one of Colchester’s most important play spaces.
"I’m delighted this work has been recognised nationally."
The research approach ensured separate consideration of adult and child preferences and aimed to include typically under-represented voices.
Workshops, hands-on sessions, and visual tools were used to help children express their ideas, with particular focus given to pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Their feedback influenced the play area’s themes, layout and equipment.
This resulted in a design aiming to reflect real lives, real experiences and the creativity of children across Colchester.
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A council spokesperson said: "Being shortlisted by LARIA highlights how we communicated the research in an engaging and accessible way, reaching children, families, councillors and community partners."
Construction of the new play area is already under way and will be ready for Easter.
The LARIA Research Impact Award winners will be announced on March 25 at the annual LARIA Conference, hosted at the Local Government Association in London.
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