Check out the new outdoor chess tables in two Reading parks

Outdoor chess tables have been installed at Prospect Park and Palmer Park.

The two-seater concrete benches and tables feature a durable and sturdy chess boards which will further improve existing green space facilities at both parks, encouraging residents to come together to meet, learn and play.

This weekend members of Reading Chess Club - which celebrates its 125^th anniversary in 2024 and whose members range in age from 10 to 80 - joined Lead Councillor for Leisure and Culture Adele Barnett-Ward, and local Councillors for an inaugural chess match.

Players using the new chess tables can either bring along their own chess set or borrow a set for a small deposit.

Reading Borough Council is providing this the new leisure equipment to give residents even more reasons to visit the borough’s parks, and to encourage people of all abilities and ages to play chess and enjoy the mental health benefits of participating in a social game outdoors.

The chess tables at Prospect Park are located outside the Ranger Station. Both the Ranger Station and Hey Coffee café will have chess sets available to borrow.

The chess table at Palmer Park is located between the Bowling Club and the Tutu’s Ethiopian Table café. Chess sets can be borrowed from Tutu’s.

The chess boards will support school break-out sessions and chess club events, create new opportunities to strengthen relationships and build local social cohesion and address loneliness by providing opportunities for people to come together in a joint activity.