Play

We're working in partnership with London boroughs to give children even more opportunities to explore the natural environment through play. We are improving existing equipment in the parks, adding new features and making our play areas more accessible.

During 2009 we received over £500,000 for development of play projects in Kensington Gardens, The Regent’s Park, Richmond Park and Bushy Park. Local children and young people are involved in planning all the projects.

• Next to the Hub, in The Regent's Park Artist Tom Harvey has created a series of timber sculptures and seating designed to appeal to young people. During several workshops, local children from primary schools in Westminster created sketches and clay models, providing Tom Harvey with inspiration for the sculptures, 'Girl and Jaguar', 'Girl and Fox' and 'Boy and Butterflies' accompanied by six timber seats.
  
  Below: 'Girl and Jaguar' sculpture. Artist - Tom Harvey. To the right (top): A boy modelling clay during a workshop with Tom Harvey. To the right (bottom): 'Girl and Fox' sculpture. Artist - Tom Harvey.

  

• Work to improve the Hanover Gate Playground, in The Regent's Park is now complete and the playground is now open (see photograph below). We have installed new features, including a play sculpture, water and sand play area, tree house style platform, planted mound and a picnic area. Following recent consultation with Westminster Society for People with Learning Difficulties, work has been done to improve accessibility and play experiences for children with disabilities, enabling them to fully engage with the playground and feel a sense of participation. A new ramped boardwalk allows children in wheelchairs to access the sandpits and two hammocks and a nest roundabout have been installed. Click here to view an artist's impression of the playground.

  
  
  
  

• We have recently refurbished Buck Hill Playground in Kensington Gardens to increase its capacity and provide areas where children can engage with the natural environment.  Much of the existing play equipment has been given a new lease of life and additional seating, a new nest swing and a water play feature have been added. Next to the playground, we have installed a new feature designed to encourage young people to explore the natural environment. It uses natural materials and will enhance the historic landscape of the gardens. Funding for this project was supplied by Westminster City Council in partnership with The Royal Parks.