WORK has begun on a controversial adventure play ground on the Rye.
Men began to dig the foundations of the Wycombe District Council project yesterday.
The new play area, which is aimed at the eight to 14 age group, will feature a raised wooden walkway linked by rope bridges, spider nets and a fireman's pole.
There will also be monkey bars, a tree house with games and a slide.
The plans have attracted both criticism and praise from members of the public.
Bucks Free Press website user Pip posted: "I think that this will be a great addition to High Wycombe. I think that it will blend in with the trees beautifully complementing the park."
Another user, Plus ca change, wrote :"The layout...looks fantastic. Wycombe has never seen its like."
However, the High Wycombe Society opposes the change.
Speaking last month, Tony Fooks, vice chairman, said: "I think it's no secret that we are completely opposed to this idea.
"The size and bulk of some of the equipment is totally out of character to the Rye.
"It's an open space for the public and in that context putting something like that on the Rye and building on it is not appropriate."
Responding to Mr Fooks criticisms, Cllr Jean Teesdale from Wycombe District Council said: "I've listened to the society's concerns and I do sympathise with them but at the end of the day I feel the Rye is a recreation ground and we need to let children play in a safe environment but be as free as possible.
"It's a good thing and I think once it's there they will realise its not as bad as they thought.
"We need to give children something to do to keep them off street corners and keep then healthy."
Work is expected to finish in August.
