As epic perhaps as a new Star Wars film, and as hotly anticipated…the new Streatham Common Playground after many years in the planning finally launched on Saturday [16th December 2017]
There was balloons, there was playdoh, there was cake! And all opened with great propriety by the Mayor of Lambeth, Marcia Cameron. Also in attendance, local councillors John Kazantzis, Malcolm Clark & Clair Wilcox who backed the project all the way, as well as members of Friends of Streatham Common who worked hard on bringing the plans to fruition.
Thankfully the early part of the day was wonderfully sunny and lots of kids gave the pieces a good going over! We appreciated everyone coming out on such a cold morning to give the place a well deserved opening. [There was even children playing in there on a very rainy Sunday!].
The Friends of Streatham Common’s volunteers working with Lambeth Council were integral in realising this project, with discussions starting way back in 2013!
FoSC commissioned LUC to put together draft plans [they had previously worked on the very successful Brockwell Park, and Horniman Museum playgrounds]. A cafe will follow soon, the idea being that the original scheme needed the playground to pay for its own repairs and upkeep.
Read the full summary of planning here in our newsletter back in August 2015.
In spite of not being 100% finished, [around 75% there!] it was felt an early Christmas present to our local community’s kids was in order. There will also be some fine tuning with feedback from the community on any adjustments that need working on. Workmen are finishing the landscaping in the week leading up to Christmas.
With this in mind – we do ask that parents who want to be involved in ensuring Children’s needs are included in the future of the Common, please join us. We need input, and we need ideas. Ideas can only be put in place by the community and this playground is a fine example of people coming together with the council to make it happen. You can make a difference!
