Bellingham Play Park, a local play area in Lewisham, was voted playground ‘most in need of love’ in London Play’s Valentine’s Day campaign.
The initiative is aimed at raising awareness of the value of play for children and communities across the capital and London Play has pledged to work alongside residents and Lewisham Council to help Bellingham Play Park get the attention it deserves.
Residents who nominated the play area for the campaign feel that it doesn’t yet serve the needs of the many young families in the area.
A spokesperson for the Bellingham Play Park group said:
“We believe an improved play park could be a vital resource that can benefit the health and wellbeing of local children and families. We are strongly supported by the amazing local community who would love to see this natural space reach its full potential.”
Lewisham’s Grove Park Library Playground was also nominated in the campaign as were three playgrounds in neighbouring Southwark. Others were located in Hammersmith and Fulham and in Newham.
Lewisham Council is one of only a handful of councils in London to have adopted a strategy for play, which sets out a long-term ambition for the borough to become a leader in play and a great place for children to grow up.
A Lewisham Council spokesperson said:
“We are committed to continue to work with our communities and London Play to improve play opportunities ongoingly for all children across our borough.
We have already identified these two playgrounds as needing improvements and are working with our partners to identify funding opportunities for refurbishment. Our play strategy is a key priority for us, improving children’s health, quality of life and well-being. By creating a new, sustainable, long term investment programme, we hope to be able to refurbish or replace all play areas across Lewisham.”
Work has already begun in the borough, with the council and residents working together to open two new playgrounds in Lewisham by the end of last year. Lewisham Park playground has seen a £167,000 investment in new play equipment designed to cater for a wide range of ages and ensure access for those with disabilities too. New equipment includes a You and Me swing, a timber agility trail, a basket swing for all abilities, a new climbing frame with two towers, a bridge and spider net and a fairy tale throne. Meanwhile in Sydenham, Mayow Park playground has also undergone refurbishment with a focus on inclusive play and active climbing equipment.
London Play’s director Fiona Sutherland said:
“London Play was delighted to support the development of Lewisham’s play strategy last year and it is great to see it is now helping guide the council’s efforts and investments in improving play in the borough.
We know that councils are facing difficult financial times, and that play is often seen as an easy target when it comes to making cuts. But this is shortsighted.
Play is not just ‘nice to have’. It is a vital for thriving children and thriving communities too.”
London Play is calling on Londoners to let them know about poor play services, facilities or policies in their areas. In addition to poor quality playgrounds this could include after school clubs or holiday play schemes which are threatened with closure or reductions in their services; or too many signs prohibiting play on a housing estate.
Email info@londonplay.org.uk with your examples and we will look into how we can help.