Haringey (Parliament politics magazine) – Haringey council confirms Russell Park play area revamp will proceed after delays, supported by £450,000 Noel Park Big Local (NPBL) and community efforts.
Following privacy concerns raised by some locals, construction of a new playhouse—which will be one meter tall and part of the new “state-of-the-art space”—was recently put on hold.
Other locals, however, expressed concerns that “years of tireless work” would be in vain and that the playhouse would have to be dismantled and expensive renovations made.
What are the key details of the upgrade on Haringey’s Russell Park?
Community involvement has been the project’s driving force, highlighting the significance of local involvement in developing public places. This strategy ensures that the community’s requirements and preferences will be satisfied by the renovated play space.
The NPBL demonstrates how neighbourhood projects contribute to improving community facilities.
New equipment created to promote active and organic play will be included in the renovated play area. Incorporating biodiversity through innovative planting plans is one way to improve the park’s ecological worth.
The project will give kids in the neighbourhood a far wider and more varied play option by increasing the playground’s size.
It is expected that the improved play area will benefit nearby families by giving kids a fun and safe space. By providing a common area for outdoor recreation and social interaction, this can help promote community cohesion.
What was the response of the local community on the upgrade of Russell Park?
Locals initiated a petition to support the playhouse’s development, and it received 703 signatures.
Emily Arkell, the council’s cabinet member for culture and recreation, announced this week that the initial plans created in consultation with the community will proceed and that privacy issues will be resolved through “screening and planting.”
She said:
“We’ve had to take a little time over this issue, but it has been well worth it to get this right as we know a new playground for Russell Park has been needed for some time now. We appreciate that a lot of hard work has gone into the original community design for the playground over the last couple of years and I’m delighted to say that we’ll be keeping it, by installing screening and planting along sections of the boundary to the park.”
She said that it is fantastic news for the hundreds of local families who’ll now get to enjoy their children playing outdoors in one of our much-loved parks.
“This project is a great example of the collaborative work between NPBL and the council, with full credit to them for driving it forward and raising most of the funds. We’ve always loved the original design and want to thank NPBL for the major contribution they’ve made in delivering this wonderful, creative playground for the wider N22 community.
she added.
Rachella Sinclair, a local resident, said:
“This is a carefully planned project co-produced with the community and consulted at every stage and it is a one-time opportunity to create something like this in a neighbourhood where many children live in overcrowded situations with no place to play outside. This [playhouse] would be devastating to lose when we are so close to completion and so close to the end of the NPBL funding.”
In response, one resident wrote on the Change.org petition that the result was a “fantastic outcome”. They said that their children will be able to enjoy the playground in the new year, complete with the toddler playhouse and slide.
