Bermondsey playground is latest to unveil its spruced-up new look

A much-loved adventure playground has reopened to the local community, following a £420,000 refurbishment.

The eagerly-anticipated reopening of Bermondsey’s Ellen Brown Adventure Playground is seen as another significant milestone in the council’s £3 million investment programme to revitalise playgrounds across the borough.

The playground, in Grange Road, serves children aged eight to 15, providing a safe space to play, learn and grow. The refurbishment includes state-of-the-art interactive play equipment, a fun ball skills area, and a DJ booth, making it a hub for creativity and physical activity.

Thanks to capital funding secured in 2020, the site has been completely revamped, including a £27,000 refresh of the Ellen Brown Centre building and this year’s £420,000 investment in play structures and equipment.

Councillor Portia Mwangangye, cabinet member for leisure, parks, and young people, said:  “Ellen Brown Adventure Playground is now a vibrant space where children can have fun, connect with others, and build lifelong memories.

“We are proud to have delivered this project on time and within budget, ensuring Bermondsey’s young people have access to the quality play facilities they deserve.”

Over the past four years, the council has delivered transformations at playgrounds across the borough including improvements to Leathermarket Gardens Playground, Dickens’ Fields, Pelier Park, Peckham Rye Under 5s Playground, Victory Park, and Fredericks Playground.

Work continues at Nursery Row Park, Peckham Rye Park Adventure Playground, Little Dorrit Playground, and Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park with plans to complete upgrades in 2025/2026.

Pictured top: A youngster takes advantage of the new facilities (Picture: Southwark council)