London Play’s Access to Nature projects are well underway in four sites across London. Part funded by Natural England under its Access to Nature scheme, which is part of the Big Lottery Fund’s Changing Spaces programme, the project aims to encourage children and families into the natural environment and to rediscover the joy of being outdoors.
The four sites London Play is working on are:
- Hackney’s East Reservoir Community Garden
- Lordship Recreation Ground in Haringey
- Dagenham Washlands in Barking and Dagenham
- Broadwater Green in Greenwich
The projects provide a variety of nature play features, inlcuding logs and stones for climbing and planting to improve biodiversity. We are working in partnership with Trees for Cities and The London Wildlife Trust (who have both provided match-funding) and various other parties including local authorities, community and ‘Friends’ groups.
We have been consulting local communities and using the feedback to inform the designs of the new nature-play areas. This ensures each site meets the community’s needs and provides a safe and engaging space for children of all ages to play. Inspired by the Access to Nature project, a number of smaller community groups have been working with London Play to develop natural play in their areas.
London Play would like to gratefully acknowledge the generous support of HSS Hire and Spirafix Ground Anchors, in helping deliver the Access to Nature projects and its offshoots.
For more information contact natural development worker Max Mueller by email or phone 0203 384 8512.
