After two months of extensive refurbishment Papa’s Park (10-17 Pulross Road, Brixton, London SW9 8AF) is open again and filled with brand new equipment, soft surfaces and additional food growing spaces.
The under-fives area has been extended to include a larger climbing frame, rockers and activity panels. The main playground now features a seesaw, basketball shooting hoop (outside of the basketball/five-a-side pitch) and larger swings. The multi-play unit donated by Lambeth which is higher and more challenging is the centre piece to the main playground. The committee have endeavoured to improve accessibility in the playground with a new accessible roundabout and basket swing.
At the ribbon cutting local councillors Jessica Leigh and Joshua Lindsey were in attendance with local children and parents who were all excited to be back at Papa’s. Joshua Lindsey said, “The local councillors are really keen to do whatever they can to support the park, it is an absolute asset to the community and we are delighted to see so many people here today enjoying the new facilities.”
Through the renovation, the Papa’s Park committee has been able to increase the number of individual pieces of equipment to add more variety and enhance the experience for families using the playground. This project has been made possible by the support of Suez Communities Trust, Veolia Environmental Trust and Lambeth council as well as individual donations from the community.
Work continues in landscaping the space, adding more raised beds for food growing and a woodland style trail along the far side. In the spring a new gardening club will be starting which will tend to the vegetables and explore urban food growth.
Chairs Mark and Jacquie say: “This is the culmination of six years of hard work by our dedicated committee. We have been fortunate to receive great support from Lambeth council, Suez, Veolia and community members like Stephen Rushton who completed his first ever triathlon in Brighton in September to raise funds for us.”
Papa’s is continuing to fundraise for the next phases of the renovation project which will begin with renovation of the football pitch and basketball court. Yesterday Sport England confirmed that they would be making a donation towards the new multi-purpose pitch.
The committee are also looking to raise money for a new building which will give the community a larger café, meeting rooms and hall space, the revenue from which will support the running of the park.
Papa’s Park is a community playground run by local residents and volunteers and receives no public funding.
To support Papa’s and keep this community playground and garden space open for generations to come become a member for £15 a year online at www.papaspark.co.uk or in person at the café.
