Battersea Power Station development gets new playground

It once generated most of South London’s energy – but now kids will be burning off most of theirs with its new playground.

The new Prospect Park children’s playground and park area at Battersea Power Station was officially opened yesterday by the Mayor of Wandsworth, Councillor Richard Field.

A special event was hosted at the new riverside neighbourhood, which will also see the Grade II* listed Power Station and Electric Boulevard, a new high street for Battersea, open to the public from September this year.

The event was attended by local school children from St Mary’s RC Primary School, Battersea, who were keen to put the new colourful playground to the test, and local stakeholders.

The playground is part of the third phase of the Battersea Power Station development next to the Gehry Partners designed Prospect Place, which will begin welcoming residents shortly.

The playground, which is open to the public daily from 8am – 8pm was designed by landscape architects, LDA Design, to be deliberately playful and colourful next to the iconic Power Station, Gehry’s Prospect Place and Battersea Roof Gardens from Foster + Partners.

LDA Design also designed the playground to feature areas suitable for all ages so children can discover fun new elements as they get older.

Councillor Richard Field, Mayor of Wandsworth, said: “I was delighted to open the new Prospect Park children’s playground and park area at Battersea Power Station today.

I would like to congratulate all those involved in delivering this exciting outdoor space, which is a great addition to the new riverside neighbourhood that is being created at Battersea Power Station.

I’m sure many families and children from the local community will enjoy hours of fun here.”

Alex Baker, Director of Communities and Sustainability at Battersea Power Station Development Company (BPSDC), said:
“I’m delighted to see that the Prospect Park playground has already been a big hit with the pupils from St Mary’s RC Primary School today.

Creating large areas of open space for members of the local community, residents and visitors to enjoy has been integral to the Battersea Power Station masterplan since our shareholders took over the project nearly 10 years ago, with almost half of the 42-acre site being transformed into beautiful areas of public realm.”

Ben Walker, Studio Director at LDA Design, said: “It’s wonderful to see another piece of the Battersea Power Station jigsaw complete in time for spring.

Design has been working with the team at Battersea Power Station for a decade now and being part of this monumental transformation means a lot to us. I’m looking forward to bringing my own children here – their exuberance helped shape this colourful, climbable landscape, which brings a touch of tree house to the city.

Inspired by the planting around this new riverside neighbourhood, there is adventure and challenge to be had in this playground and I can’t wait to hear the peals of laughter and see children enjoying this space.”

Picture: The official opening of Prospect Park Playground at Battersea Power Station. Credit: Charlie Round-Turner