As the summer draws to a close  Islington Play Association (IPA) has formally entered creditors’ voluntary liquidation after decades of pioneering play provision.

The appointment of joint liquidators in mid-August follows the collapse of the charity under severe financial pressures, which forced it to surrender its operating contracts earlier this summer.

Islington Council stepped in to take direct management of four adventure playground sites – Crumbles Castle, Lumpy Hill, Martin Luther King (MLK), and Timbuktu – ensuring the gates remained open without interruption throughout the summer holidays. This is planned to be an interim arrangement while the council explores various options for the service. And while the council’s swift rescue prevented a catastrophic loss of play spaces across the borough, the liquidation of one of London’s most established independent play associations highlights the extreme fragility of the voluntary play sector.

Commenting on the news, London Play director Fiona Sutherland said:

“The liquidation of the Islington Play Association is a heart-breaking moment for London’s play community. For decades, IPA has been at the forefront of championing children’s right to play, supporting families, and running fantastic adventure playgrounds.

“While we applaud Islington Council for stepping up so quickly to keep the gates open at Crumbles Castle, Lumpy Hill, MLK, and Timbuktu over the summer, IPA’s collapse is a flashing warning light for the entire capital. Voluntary play organisations are operating on a financial knife-edge after years of squeezed budgets and rising costs. Without long-term, sustainable funding, we risk losing independent play expertise for good.”

Amid the transition of the four active sites, concerns persist regarding a fifth playground previously run by IPA: Toffee Park Adventure Playground. Closed in late 2024 for a planned council redevelopment, Toffee Park was originally slated to reopen in late 2025. However, the site remains inactive and notice of its progress has quietly slipped from recent council communications. As the new school year begins, London Play is urging the council to provide clear updates on when Toffee Park will finally be returned to the children of Bunhill ward.