A riverside playground in South Oxford has reopened with new climbing frames, slides, swings and family seating after a donation made in memory of Emily Topf Abrams.
The former Friar’s Wharf play area has been officially renamed Emily’s Playground at Friar’s Wharf following a refurbishment designed to provide more activities for younger children while improving the appearance of the site.
Emily died in 2024 aged 42 following a blood clot. Her mother, Edna, contributed towards the improvements as a lasting tribute to her daughter, with additional funding provided by Oxford City Council.
At a glance
| New name | Emily’s Playground at Friar’s Wharf |
| Location | Friar’s Wharf, South Oxford, OX1 1RU |
| Status | Refurbishment complete and playground reopened |
| New equipment | Two multi-play climbers with slides, a younger children’s swing and a three-metre rope climbing frame |
| Other improvements | New family seating and removal of the old concrete mound and worn equipment |
| Funding | A private donation from Emily’s mother alongside Oxford City Council funding |
| Work carried out by | ODS, with equipment supplied and installed by HAGS |
| Site rules | Dogs and bicycles are not allowed inside the play area |
| Report a problem | 01865 252240 or parks@odsgroup.co.uk |
New play equipment for younger and older children
The refurbished play area now includes two new multi-play structures, each with its own slide.
One has been designed for older children, while the second provides a smaller and more manageable option for younger visitors.
A new swing has also been installed for younger children, alongside a three-metre-tall cone-shaped rope climbing frame which the council says is suitable for children of different ages and abilities.
Family seating has been added around the play area, responding to requests made during the public consultation.
The large concrete mound and the older climbing and sliding equipment have been removed. Three more recent pieces of play equipment closest to the river were retained and incorporated into the renewed site.
The adjacent multi-use games area was not part of the closure and remains available alongside the playground.
What has changed?
| Removed | Added or retained |
|---|---|
| The large concrete slide mound | A multi-play climber and slide for older children |
| The worn older multi-play climber | A smaller multi-play climber and slide for younger children |
| Old play equipment that had reached the end of its useful life | A new swing for younger children |
| A three-metre cone rope climber | |
| Family seating | |
| Three newer existing items beside the river |
A lasting tribute to Emily
The project became possible after Edna offered to make a donation in memory of her daughter.
Emily Topf Abrams died in 2024 aged 42 following a blood clot. The newly installed entrance sign now bears her name, making the playground a permanent community tribute.
Emily’s family attended the official reopening, which took place in early September.
Edna said her grandchildren, Leo and Alfie, had helped express what the project meant to the family after such a devastating loss.
“I hope that Emily’s Playground is a place where children can come together, enjoy themselves, and make happy memories.”
Councillor Anna Railton, Oxford City Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Planning and Zero Carbon Oxford, thanked Edna for making the refurbishment possible.
She said the donation had helped create both a better community play space and a lasting tribute that could be enjoyed by local children for years to come.
The council has not disclosed the value of the private donation, the amount of public funding contributed or the total cost of the project.
Residents asked for more activities for younger children
The redesign followed consultation with local residents in March 2026.
Previous feedback had highlighted a shortage of equipment suitable for younger children. Residents also considered the old concrete mound and worn climbing frame tired and uninviting.
The council said the mound blocked views across part of the play area, potentially making supervision more difficult and increasing concerns about antisocial behaviour.
A total of 23 people responded to the formal consultation. Although that was a relatively small number, the responses were strongly supportive of the proposal:
- 83% responded positively to the planned improvements
- 13% were neutral
- 4% responded negatively
- 65% said the improvements would make them more likely to use the playground
Every respondent also submitted written comments. The council subsequently confirmed that seating would be included as a direct response to the feedback.
The consultation ran from 6 to 29 March. The council announced the start of the construction programme at the end of May, with the playground closing for the main works from early June.
Groundworks were completed by ODS, while specialist play-equipment company HAGS supplied and installed the new structures.
More information about the original plans and consultation results is available through the Oxford City Council consultation page.
Where to find Emily’s Playground
Planning a visit
| Name | Emily’s Playground at Friar’s Wharf |
| Location | Friar’s Wharf, South Oxford, OX1 1RU |
| Setting | Beside the River Thames, close to the footbridge linking Friar’s Wharf with the Grandpont side of the river |
| Facilities | Fenced play area, climbing equipment, slides, swings, family seating and an adjacent multi-use games area |
| Dogs | Not permitted inside the fenced play area |
| Bicycles | Not permitted inside the fenced play area |
| Comments or defects | 01865 252240 or parks@odsgroup.co.uk |
| Official announcement | Read the Oxford City Council update |
The playground is next to the river at Friar’s Wharf and can be approached from the South Oxford and St Ebbe’s sides of the Thames.
Families arriving by bicycle should leave bikes outside the fenced play area. The new entrance sign also asks visitors to dispose of litter carefully and confirms that the playground is regularly inspected by ODS.
No dedicated daily opening hours are published in the council’s announcement. Visitors should follow any signs or temporary notices displayed at the entrance.
Frequently asked questions
Is Emily’s Playground now open?
Yes. Oxford City Council says the refurbishment is complete and the play area has officially reopened.
Where is Emily’s Playground?
It is at Friar’s Wharf in South Oxford, beside the River Thames. The council lists the play space under postcode OX1 1RU.
Why has the playground been renamed?
It has been named in memory of Emily Topf Abrams, who died in 2024 aged 42 following a blood clot. Her mother, Edna, donated towards the refurbishment as a lasting tribute.
What new equipment has been installed?
The playground has two new multi-play climbing structures with slides, a younger children’s swing and a three-metre rope climbing frame. New seating has also been installed.
Is there equipment for younger children?
Yes. The refurbishment was partly prompted by residents asking for more activities suitable for younger children. One of the new climbing structures and the new swing have been installed with younger visitors in mind.
Is the equipment accessible?
The council describes the cone rope climbing frame as suitable for children of different ages and abilities. It has not published a detailed accessibility assessment or specified which individual items provide independent wheelchair access.
Are dogs allowed?
No. The entrance sign states that dogs are not allowed inside the fenced play area.
Can bicycles be taken inside?
No. Bicycles must be left outside the play area.
Who paid for the refurbishment?
The project was funded through a donation from Emily’s mother and additional money from Oxford City Council. The amounts have not been published.
Who installed the equipment?
ODS carried out the groundworks, while HAGS supplied and installed the play equipment.
How can a damaged item or other problem be reported?
The playground sign gives the ODS parks contact details as 01865 252240 and parks@odsgroup.co.uk.
