Latest playground progress photos

 Photos taken on Thursday 7th December 2023 - equipment installation has started. The photos say it all - the playground is beginning to take shape.

Playground rebuild Nov-Dec 2023 part 3 - sharing the news with local children

 The nearest primary school to the park is Adamsrill Primary School.

Sandra the Kompan project manager arranged for Adamsrill School Council students to visit on Monday 4th December. Fifteen pupils from year 1 to year 6, with two members of staff, came to meet Sandra and the construction team, to ask some very good questions about the facilities which would be installed.At this point they could only see a building site but some of the design plans were available on the fences. 

Above all, they wanted to know how long the rebuild would take and they were pleasantly surprised to learn that if the weather is not too harsh and if equipment safety inspections take place, then play could resume before Christmas.  Such good news.

Playground rebuild Nov-Dec 2023 part 2

 After the Covid lockdowns and the re-opening of public spaces, it took time to build momentum and to start the funding applications process again. That same parent with fund-raising ambitions was willing to try again. Other parents came together to offer support but time was the real barrier for working parents. We were fortunate that Lewisham’s park department offered communities a funding opportunity for green spaces and children’s facilities, using the levy they charge developers on building developments.

Our bid to Lewisham was successful but we needed matched funding to achieve a whole-playground rebuild.  Veolia*, the waste management company, had funds  that we were eligible to apply for. . .  And success!

 With sufficient funds sourced, Lewisham could now approve the process for demolition and rebuild. Glendale’s managers put the project out to tender and Kompan** won the contract.  Their overall design included most of the wishes of the parents including access for children in wheelchairs and for children with sensory needs. Some children expressed further wishes to keep a few bits of much-loved play equipment in the under-5s section.

The designs - based on the survey results

And after all the build-up, finally on 29^th November 2023 the demolition started.

 Additional wishes voiced by some parents and which would have been ideal but not practical included new toilet facilities. There are toilets at the eastern side of the park beside the café; but infrastructure to lay water and sewerage services to the western side of the park would not be feasible at this time.

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*Veolia community funding    https://www.veoliatrust.org/funding/

** Kompan     https://www.kompan.com/en/gb