A new slide, roundabout, rolling log and climbing nets are helping to brighten up the play area on Islington’s New Orleans Walk Estate in N19.
The attractive, landscaped space - which includes fresh planting, grassy areas and boulders for children to clamber over - replaces the former concrete, high fencing and worn out play equipment.
The redevelopment is part of Islington Council’s Playbuilder programme, through which over £1 million is being invested in play spaces around the borough.
An event to celebrate the opening of the playground at New Orleans Walk Estate was held on Saturday 9 May. While Islington’s Playrangers provided a range of fun play activities, children and young people could also get involved in planting new shrubs and try out their new play area for the first time.
Islington Council’s Director for Young People, Jane Winterbone said:
“The young residents of the New Orleans Walk Estate are clearly enjoying having this fantastic new play space. It’s a vast improvement compared to what they had access to before. Islington Council are redeveloping 22 play sites across the borough over the next three years to provide stimulating, fun and safe places for children and young people to spend time. This is especially important for those who don’t have access to a garden of their own.”
Funding for the new play area has come from Islington’s Playbuilder programme, Islington Council’s Young People’s Division, Homes for Islington (HfI) and the Cripplegate Foundation. The project was carried out by Groundwork London, HfI and the New Orleans Tenants and Residents Association.
Residents on the New Orleans Walk Estate were consulted to find out what type of play area they would like to see developed on the site.
Tracey Willoughby, chair of the New Orleans Walk Tenants and Residents Association said: "We're really happy we've got such an attractive, safe place for our children to play on the estate. It's a really visible sign of the successful relationship between the New Orleans Walk TRA, HfI and Islington Council and there was a lot of community input on this project."
Seven Islington play areas are receiving investment in year one of the Playbuilder project - all of which are due to be officially opened by the end of May 2009.
Teresa Coyle, HFI Board Director said: “We are delighted to be able to support this project. Providing spaces for children to play is an important part of ensuring a good quality of life on estates. This provides a great new facility for local children.”
Islington was selected by the Government in 2008 as one of the first local authorities to receive £1.173 million of Playbuilder money over three years. The money is being used to build new, or refurbish existing playgrounds and play areas across the borough.
ENDS.
Page Last Updated: 12 June 2009