Groundwork London opens two new natural play areas in Ealing

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04 Jan 2010

 The Mayor with Local Residents and Funders...

The Mayor of Ealing, Barbara Yerolemou, officially opened a new natural play area on the Golf Links Estate in Baird Avenue, Acton on Monday 21 December 2009. The new attractive playground, designed by Groundwork London, sports a group swing, boulders, a giant mushroom, grassy mounds and climbing trees, as well as seating.

Following extensive consultation that was delivered in conjunction with Brentford Community Sports Trust, during which many of the 3685 residents including young people were asked for their views, it was identified that there was a clear lack of play provision for eight to 11 year olds on the estate. This resulted in a state-of-the-art playscape that employs a whole-landscape approach being designed and delivered by landscape architects at Groundwork London, the capital’s foremost environmental regeneration charity at the forefront of community engagement.

Despite the rain, the playful landscape proved a hit with the crowd of children who were eager to have a go on the new structures. The young people have been truly empowered and have relished being involved in the decisions that affect them.

In front of residents and funders, Barbara Yerolemou, The Mayor of Ealing, cut the ribbon to declare the new playground open. She was accompanied by Junior Mayor, nine year-old Eugenio Nanni from Montpelier Primary School who won a competition to shadow the Mayor for the day.

The Mayor said: "I would like to thank Groundwork and residents of Golf Links Estate for making the opening of the Golf Links playground such a fun event despite of, maybe because of, the sleet and the cold. The fact that so many people turned out in such awful weather shows how much this excellent playground is needed and appreciated. My congratulations to everyone involved."

Groundwork London’s Community and Young Peoples’ Team ensures that communities are involved in decision making in their local areas; it empowers them to make a difference to the places where they live, and it brings residents with different backgrounds together, helping improve community cohesion and reduce anti-social behaviour.

The new play area was funded by Biffaward and Ealing Homes, a major housing provider on the estate. 

Moira Herring, Community Projects Officer for Groundwork said: “We are honoured that The Mayor of Ealing has come here today to officially open the play area. This is an endorsement of the effort that Groundwork undertakes to engage with the local community and get them involved in improving their open spaces. Involving residents, particularly young people, in the design process is invaluable in generating a sense of ownership and respect over the area - which we hope will mean greater sustainability for the capital work.”

This is the second of Groundwork’s new play areas opened this week, following the launch of new outdoor play area for 11-16 year olds at Leamington Park in North Acton on 17 December, also conceived and designed by local young people.

This new play area was made possible by £1m from Ealing Council, Catalyst Housing, SITA Trust and the Garfield Weston Trust. Support for many of the activities was provided by the Bridge Project, a youth project based on the estate, together with the team from Ealing Youth and Connexions, who encourage personal and social development of young people aged 13-19.

Councillor Ian Gibb, Ealing Council’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said: “We know that many residents think there should be more facilities in the borough for young people, that is why we created the £1million youth fund. I'm delighted that the brand new Leamington Park has now opened and I'm sure it will be greatly appreciated and very well used for many years to come."