London adventure playground of the year 2009
London Play is pleased to announce the Adventure Playground of the Year 2009 winners
Winner:
Charlie Chaplin Adventure Playground, Kennington
Runners-up:
Triangle Adventure Playground, SW8, Toffee Park Adventure Playground, EC1V and Fredericks Adventure Playground, SE17
Local children nominate their adventure playground, and this is what children said when putting forward Charlie Chaplin:
- I have helped make a tree house, girl, 10
- I have helped clean the rubbish, cut the stinging nettles, cut the plants, girl, 7
- I play with the slide, tennis, bikes, table tennis, train, seesaw, swings - I also like cooking cake, pancakes. I have made friends, boy, 5
- I play on bikes, scooter, skateboards. I made friends, boy, 4
- There is soft play, bikes, swings, art and crafts, skate boarding, sand pit, computers, sensory room, football, basketball, activities, and lots of things to do. I have introduced different ideas, boy, 15
Children from lasts year's winning playground (Somerford Grove, Haringey) were on the Panel of Judges who visited all short-listed adventure playgrounds and made the selection. The comments from the child judges included:
The best things at Charlie Chaplin,
- the swings, soft play; everything; play bit inside; everything; there are a lot of different things like swings and the ball pit.,
What could be better,
- making a bigger adventure; nothing; nothing; nothing,
Any other comments,
- no; yes it is really good; there are also activities for kids with a disability; it is very good; It's wicked!
Beverley Salmon, Senior Playworker at Charlie Chaplin, welcomed the news:
"It's absolutely fantastic news for everyone here at Charlie Chaplin. We work very hard to make it a fun-filled and enjoyable experience for all. This is our second year as an independent voluntary run playground managed by Chaplin Trustees, it's been hard work but totally worth it. Charlie Chaplin is a very special place, a busy energetic environment with the constant roar of children laughing, playing and simply being themselves. We would like to say a big thank you from all the kids, staff, committee and all Chaplin supporters."
Melian Mansfield, Chair of London Play, said:
"We are delighted that the winner of the 2009 Adventure Playground of the Year Award, chosen by children, is the Charlie Chaplin Adventure Playground in Lambeth. Disabled and non disabled children between the ages of five and 16 have access to an amazing range of play facilities both indoors and out, natural areas and structures for climbing and swinging, space for arts activities and soft play."
Richard Horsnell from 95.8 Capital FM's Help a London Child said:
"95.8 Capital FM's Help a London Child is once again delighted to be helping to fund London Play's Adventure Playground of the Year Awards. We believe the fact that children are voting for their favourite playground is what makes these awards so unique, and we're proud to support the event for a fifth consecutive year. With even greater competition than ever before, we'd like to congratulate Charlie Chaplin Adventure Playground on winning this year's award, and also say well done to all three runners-up."
Paul Redden, Managing Director of eibe play, said:
"eibe play have sponsored the London Adventure Playground Awards for some years now and this year it was difficult to choose winners for each category again. I would like to thank the volunteers who are so dedicated to giving the kids opportunities to play and socialise."
The celebration takes place on 7 October 2009 at the winning playground.
Download the full press release below.
