Submitted by crinadmin on
Summary: London’s newest adventure playground will
open on 22 July 2005 in Northumberland Park,
Haringey. In an area ranked among the five
per cent most deprived areas in the country,
Somerford Grove Community Project and
Adventure Playground address the severe lack
of services for children and young people
to 'hang out' in the borough.
London’s newest adventure playground will open on 22 July 2005 in
Northumberland Park, Haringey. In an area ranked among the five percent
most deprived areas in the country, Somerford Grove Community Project
and Adventure Playground address the severe lack of services for children
and young people to ‘hang out’ in the borough.
Somerford Grove is a groundbreaking facility:
- It is the only adventure playground in the borough;
- It is the first open-access adventure playground to open in London for 20
years;
- The building is environmentally-friendly;
- The inclusive facilities will be used by a variety of local children’s services;
and
- It is designed and built in consultation and with participation of local
children and young people.
Replacing a dilapidated ‘fixed’ playground, the adventure playground is an
oasis of spatial and creative freedom in a high-density urban
neighbourhood. In the shadow of Tottenham Hotspur football ground, the
playground is an enriched play environment, including climbing platforms
and swing bridges, a tree house, a climbing net, dens and a water-ring
swing, as well as a pond, stream and fruit trees.
Somerford Grove Community Project and Adventure Playground is open to
all young people from 0-19 years old. It is a place where they can be
themselves, learn essential life skills, mix with other children and young
people at all ages, and find out about the different services that are on
offer for young people in the area, in a relaxed environment.
By working in partnership with other local services, Somerford Grove
Community Project is a resource for the whole community. The project
recruited trainees from the local community to develop vocational skills
whilst building the centre. Partnerships with the local SureStart
programme, the Women and Children’s Centre and the 12th Tottenham
Scouts ensures a holistic approach to providing services to all families in
the area.
Nick Jackson, Haringey Play Association, said:
“Haringey Play Association is thrilled to open this fantastic facility – which
local children asked for and helped to build. The ‘adventure’ (as it is known
to the children and young people) will make a real and tangible difference
to many local young people’s lives. The challenge now is secure further
funding to make as much use of this valuable resource as possible.â€
Dr Ute Navidi, London Play, said:
“London Play is proud to have contributed to the improvements for
Haringey’s children and young people by setting up Haringey Play
Association, which has in turn created this incredible resource. Adventure
playgrounds are hugely important to London’s children, who have so little
free, accessible, quality space to play in – and develop the essential life
skills which play and recreation affords. It gives inner-city children a taste
for nature and wild spaces. It is shocking that so many of London’s
adventure playgrounds are at risk of closure due to lack of funding.
Somerford Grove is a excellent example of what can be achieved.â€
Mike McDonnell, Sport England, said:
“Sport England is delighted with the completed Somerford Grove
Community Project and Adventure Playground, which have been developed
in consultation with the local community and children. This ecological play
facility provides a high quality environment in which disadvantaged children
can access new opportunities. Sport England is committed to increasing
participation within sport and physical activity, and we recognise that play
is an important element in achieving this mission.â€
[ENDS]
Notes:
- Somerford Grove Community Project and Adventure Playground is owned
and managed by Haringey Play Association: www.haringey-play.org.uk.
Registered charity no. 1097752; company no. 4635536. Director Nick
- The opening launch party on 22 July will include performances by local
dance, drama and drumming groups. Press are welcome to attend, by prior
arrangement. Contact Becky McLauchlan: tel. 020 7272 2706,
becky@londonplay.org.uk
- Somerford Grove is an open-access adventure playground. This means
that the facility is free to use, and children can come and go from the
facility as they choose.
- Somerford Grove’s building incorporates innovative environmentally
friendly features, including under floor heating, a partly turfed roof for
insulation, and solar panels that heat water and generate electricity. It is
built using sustainable technology and materials.
- For more information on adventure playgrounds in London, contact
London Play: Tel. 020 7272 2464, www.londonplay.org.uk London Play
campaigns for more and improved out-of-school play services for children
and young people across London, and supports playwork in the capital.
Registered charity no. 1104731, company no. 4055882.
- Somerford Grove Community Project and Adventure Playground was
made possible with funding from the New Opportunities Fund Green
Spaces programme, via Sport England. Further funding was provided by
Sure Start Park Lane, the Single Regeneration Budget (Joined Up
Northumberland Park), the Peabody Trust and the Department for Trade
and Industry.
- Somerford Grove will host: a playgroup for under fives; free open-access
play sessions after school and in the holidays for children up to 15 years
old; after school clubs and holiday play-scheme for younger children; scout
meetings and youth clubs for older children and young people. Groups of
disabled children from a local school have already begun to use the area.