Challenge

The opening of Streatham Common play area marks the end of a many years of planning by the passionate Friends of Group and Lambeth Council. This significant investment in play is part of the ongoing regeneration of the area, which has a growing reputation as a great place to live.

Solution

The play area was designed by Chris Blandford Associates and opened to the appreciative crowds just before Christmas 2017. The old play area featured a lot of tired looking equipment, and the park stakeholders were keen to redress this, giving the play area a much needed makeover.

Outcome

Generously proportioned, the play area boasts distinct zones suitable for different abilities, with informal implied markers of pathways, mounds and planting. A toddler area includes a small platform house, trampoline and wobble dish. Character and personality has been added with the addition of Timberplay’s trademark snail and the charming springy chicken. Wind Pipes add a sensory dimension, bringing sound into the play landscape.

Space has been left between the zones for children to engage in free play, or families and groups to picnic and socialise.

A distinct section for older children has been created on the opposite side of the space with a combination of a large Climbing Structure and Timberwood Tangle, both designed to offer graduated challenge, so ideal for children from the age six through to teenage years.

The design included beautiful playful landscaping features; mounds, planting, grasses, all included to boost the play potential of the site. A suspension bridge spans over the mounds and swings have been perched on higher grounds to make the most of the elevated position.

This project serves as a great example of how public consultation is key in fostering community engagement, resulting in a play area that the local children can delight in for many years to come.