Pumpkin soup and an open log fire kept everyone warm at an event to celebrate the refurbishment of Islington’s Toffee Park Adventure Playground.
An area of natural play space has replaced old tarmac as part of £70,000 improvement works funded by Islington Council, the DCSF and Play England.
Children and playworkers at the playground in EC1 were asked about what they wanted to see change at the playground and decided there needed to be more natural play areas. As a result, a number of new features have been introduced. This includes a fishpond, the planting of mature trees and shrubbery, a wildflower garden and allotments for growing food. Children are also enjoying the addition of an aerial runway to the playground and a zip wire.
Throughout the event, children helped to maintain a fire in the new fire pit and cook pumpkin curry soup made from produce grown on the allotments. The official opening of the improved playground was marked by children raising a new flag that they had designed themselves.
Islington Council’s executive member for children and young people, Cllr Paula Belford said:
"This was a really fun event and the children and young people at the playground were fully involved in helping to run it. Toffee Park has a really good mix of different types of play, so there’s something for everyone to enjoy. I was particularly impressed by the new planting and allotments.
"Islington Council are redeveloping 22 play sites across the borough so children and young people have lots of places to go where they can spend time in safe, exciting, open spaces."
The improvements at Toffee Park Adventure Playground are part of Islington Council’s Playbuilder project. 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.
Manager of Toffee Park, Andrea Quaintmere said:
"This Playbuilder money has allowed us to create a garden oasis in the middle of the city. Children can be on their own and have some quiet time or use it to do things like build camps and make fires which they wouldn't have the chance to do elsewhere.
"Many of the children who come here live in high-rise accommodation so it's really important to have open space like this where they can spend time."
To date, New Orleans Walk Estate, Sussex Way Gardens, Andover Estate, Rosemary Gardens, Brunswick Estate, Gambier House and Fortune Street Park have all benefitted from Playbuilder investment in their play areas.
ENDS
Page Last Updated: 12 November 2009