Parents demand improvements to London’s ‘saddest playground’
By Robert Firth, Local Democracy Reporter
Families living near a burnt-out playground named the saddest in London have called on the council to fix it.
The adventure play area at Leyton Square park in Peckham has been sealed off behind metal fencing since a fire in the summer of last year.
The playground, where footballer Rio Ferdinand honed his skills as a kid, was recently named the joint saddest in the capital by children’s charity London Play.
Parents said their kids had been left disappointed by the playground’s extended closure.
Mum Maria Barros, 30, said: “It’s sad what has happened. All the kids, they loved it, especially because of the swings. My kids used to use it before and it was always so busy. Everybody wanted to come here. I wish they would open it again.”
Nearby Eva Owusu, 42, was passing through the park with her two daughters on their way home from school.
She said: “It’s so sad. We live nearby and there’s nothing for the kids to play with now. It was quite new and then the fire just happened like that.
“I wish the council would fix it. We used to come here all the time. Some kids have been lifting up the fence and using the slide. It’s really sad.”
Gemma Taylor, 37, added: “I wish the council would sort it out. The fire happened just before the summer holidays last year and they’re taking their time. My youngest just turned 12 and he used to come.
“There’s nothing else around here for families. This park serves a few estates. The closest places after this are Burgess Park or Southwark Park, which are ages away.
“I’ve even come here before and there have seen people who live near Burgess Park visiting for a change. The closure is affecting everyone.”
Ex-England defender Rio Ferdinand, 44, was born in a flat in the Friary estate next to the playground.
He previously backed a campaign to save the park from closure in 2016 after the council shut it off over safety fears.
Leyton Square park won the unfortunate title of London’s saddest playground jointly with Crystal Palace Park in Bromley.
London Play set up the London’s Saddest Playground campaign to highlight the plight of poorly maintained play areas across the capital.
Southwark councillor Catherine Rose said: “Plans for Leyton Square are underway to transform the play space into a multi-use community facility, co-designed by our appointed architects and local residents.
“Vandalism is sad, especially in such a much loved area. Replacing the damaged play equipment is a priority, but it has taken longer than normal, due to it being specialist kit. We thank families for their patience and hope to reopen in the summer.”
Pictured top: Mum Maria Barros in Leyton Square park, named London’s Saddest Playground (Picture: Robert Firth)