Lambeth Play Pathfinder Programme

Lambeth has secured £2.5 million to develop 28 play areas over the next 3 years.

What is the money for?

In addition to developing a Play Park at Max Roach, the funding can be used to either refurbish existing play areas or develop entirely new play areas, including play areas in parks, on housing estates or existing adventure playgrounds.

We are particularly interested in projects that are:

• Aimed mainly at 8 to 13 year olds
• Innovative and creative
• Attractive to both girls and boys
• Accessible to all local children and young people including those with disabilities
• Include natural features such as sand, water, rocks, trees and landscaping
• Include elements of active and challenging play as well as areas where children and young can relax.

Who benefits from the project?

The main focus of the project is Lambeth children and young people aged between 8 and 13.

When will the projects take place?

Six projects were completed in 2008/09. Another 23 sites will be completed between April 2009 and March 2011.

What does it mean in practice?

The list below presents the six projects that were completed in 2008/09. It should provide you with an idea of what Play Pathfinder means in practice and how this funding is already starting to make a difference to local children and young people.

• Gordon Grove Adventure Playground (Coldharbour ward) - Installation of a tree house with both challenging play and 'chill-out' area, linking to an existing slide structure
• Charlie Chaplin Adventure Playground (Oval ward) - The installation of a Water Play area providing an opportunity to invest in natural play within an inclusive provision
• Ruskin Park Play Area (Herne Hill ward) – Improving the play area by introducing some new equipment and natural elements
• Slade Gardens Adventure Playground (Vassal ward) - The building of an allotment and orchard, installation of an outdoor children's kitchen and a water slide
• Tulse Hill Youth and Play Project (Tulse Hill ward) - The development of a mini multi games area within the Adventure Playground site, widening the offer at the site and refurbishment of the natural play area
• Knights' Hill Recreation Ground (Knight's Hill ward) -Refurbish existing play area incorporating natural play elements as well as the development of a pond.

Spring 2009

Following a large public consultation exercise with a wide variety of groups undertaken in January and February 2009, 13 sites were selected for development by 31 March 2010.  Please find them listed below:

The selected sites for 2009/10 are:

• Norwood Park
• Portobello Estate
• Mawbey Borough Estate
• Oasis Adventure Playground - Cycle project / nature garden
• Solon Estate
• Corrance Road Estate SW4
• Agnes Riley Gardens
• Clapham Road Estate
• Little park in Eden Rd, Linton Grove Estate
• Loughborough Play Project
• Willington Adventure Playground
• Play Space Adventure Playground
• Cowley Estate teenage play area.

Summer 2009

Throughout the summer we have been holding a minimum of two consultations at each site to make sure that those that use the play areas have a say in what they look like.  These enabled local residents, including children and young people, to engage directly with the architects and help design innovative and exciting play areas.

The biggest event for the summer was for our flagship project - Max Roach Play Park in Brixton.  We had workshops and community events finishing with a colourful and well attended Summer Design Event on Saturday 25 July. 

What happens next?

As consultations are drawing to a close, the next stage will be architects finalising designs and plans.  These are currently being submitted and building work will begin in January 2010.  To find out about the planning process for our various play areas please go to the link on our planning pages. For more general developments, keep up to date on the Young Lambeth Website. 

Young Lambeth Website

Alongside professional photographs, young people will be adding video and photo content throughout the year, showing us how projects are developing and why play is so important to them. Find this and much more at www.younglambeth.org.uk/playpathfinder  

 

Thank you

A big thank you to all those who have contributed to the consultations in any way.  Please come back to check this webpage for regular updates.