Lambeth Play Pathfinder Programme

Lambeth has secured £2.5 million to develop 28 play areas by 2011.

What is the money for?

In addition to developing a Play Park at Max Roach, the funding is being used to either refurbish existing play areas or develop entirely new play areas, including play areas in parks, housing estates or adventure playgrounds. The designs for the play areas are led by children and young people and are:

• 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 be complete?

By August 2010, Lambeth will have improved 19 new play areas and developed an exciting new Play Park at Max Roach in Brixton. By 2011, a further 9 play areas will be transformed, which will be supported by outreach, training and volunteering opportunities for children and young people, as well as play staff and residents across Lambeth.

What does it mean in practice?

The lists below present the projects which will be completed by Summer 2010, providing 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.

The six projects that were completed in 2009 are:

• Gordon Grove Adventure Playground (Coldharbour ward)
  The 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 and Summer 2010 will see the completion of the following twelve year 2 Play Pathfinder projects:

• Norwood Park (Gypsy Hill Ward) 
  The development of a new flagship inclusive water play area
• Portobello Estate (Knight's Hill ward) 
  The extension of the existing play area with natural and adventurous play equipment
• Mawbey Borough Estate (Oval ward)
  The creation of a new natural play area and community garden
• Oasis Adventure Playground (Stockwell ward)
  A new adventurous climbing rock and cave structure
• Solon Estate (Ferndale ward)
  The development of a new and exciting natural play space
• Corrance Road Estate (Ferndale ward)
  The creation of a new natural play area and community garden
• Agnes Riley Gardens (Thornton ward)
  An extension of the existing playground using natural play and improvements to the pond
• Clapham Road Estate (Larkhall ward) 
  The creation of a new natural play area
• Eden Rd, Linton Grove Estate (Knight's Hill ward)
  The creation of a new natural play area and community garden
• Loughborough Play Project (Coldharbour ward)  The installation of a hand-pump controlled waterslide, stream and sandpit
• Willington Adventure Playground (Larkhall ward) 
  New landscaping, sand and water play features
• Play Space Adventure Playground (Bishops ward)
  A new colourful Old Vic-style performance area
• Cowley Estate teenage play area (Vassal ward)
  Improvements to the play space with natural play features.

Year 3 Pathfinder Projects

Following a comprehensive programme of public consultation in early 2009, Pathfinder funding has been agreed for the following sites in 2010/11:

• Streatham Vale Play Project
• Dexter Road Adventure Playground
• Stewarts Road Adventure Playground
• Streatham Common
• Streatham Hill Estate
• Notre Dame Estate
• Vauxhall Gardens Estate
• PAPA Park
• Crimsworth Road Play Street.

The year 3 Pathfinder projects will see the development of a range of new exciting natural and inclusive play facilities across the borough. Architects will start work from Spring 2010, engaging with children, young people, families and local residents to ensure that the designs of the play areas are led by those who use them.

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.