Cumberland House Play Area

Closed 27 Oct 2023

Opened 3 Oct 2023

Contact

Kam Birdie

(Communications & Engagement )

Landlord Services

involvedinhousing@kingston.gov.uk

Results updated 14 Mar 2024

Work is now underway (March 2024) to improve the playground taking into consideration the feedback you gave us. It is due to be completed by June 2024. 

You said: 

  1. You supported the removal of the existing swing set and replacement with a new one.
  2. You supported removal of some of the springy animals and replacement with an alternative.
  3. Not all of you supported removal of the aerial slide due to its popularity with older children.
  4. That the proposed red colour of the safety play surface was too bright and that a more muted colour would be better.
  5. You’d like something to be done about the fenced off overgrown and wet area
  6. You’d like more seating and benches in the area.
  7. You are worried about the general safety of the play area and anti-social behaviour.
  8. Some of you said that the equipment in the play area is too young for the children living on the estate.

We did:

  1. We will be replacing the swing set with a brand new one.
  2. From the list of alternatives, the Tic Tac Toe panel and the Laddy Springer were the most popular choices. These will therefore be installed in the play area.
  3. We looked at ways we might be able to repair and keep the aerial slide.  Unfortunately, it can’t be kept as it's beyond repair. We’ll be adding some brand new stepping stones of varying heights in this area. For older children new swings will be installed, football nets repaired and the basketball area will be kept.
  4. We have changed the colour of the safety surface to green to blend in better with the surroundings.
  5. The fenced off area will be improved and cleared to make way for a new pathway down into the play area. 
  6. The existing picnic tables will be repaired with a new top and we’ll be adding four new benches. The benches will be located around the central paved area.
  7. Anti-social behaviour has been reported to the housing team; the playground improvements will encourage more families to use the area improving the areas surveillance. Residents should report any anti-social behaviour to the Housing Officer and any criminal activity to the police. 
  8. The play area will have something for all age groups.  

Overview

Play should be at the heart of children’s everyday lives and experiences throughout childhood. We want children in the Royal Borough of Kingston to enjoy a healthy balance of structured and unstructured play in their leisure time. Access to green spaces, however small, has been shown to have a positive affect on children. Providing safe space to play close to home is part of our commitment to being a fairer borough, offering opportunities for everyone. 

In the New Year, we'll start work on the improvement works in the play area in Cumberland Road.  We know from previous consultation that the play area is important to residents and there is some play equipment that residents were actively involved in fund raising for.  We've taken all of this into account in shaping what changes we will make to the play area and would like your feedback on how often you use the play area, the changes planned, and which new equipment we should install. 

Work Plan

A recent full inspection of the play area showed us that some of the play equipment is past its best and needs to be removed, whilst other pieces just need some minor repairs.  We also need to relocate some of the play equipment to make space for the new pathways going through the area.

Here is what will change:

  •  remove aerial slide & current springy animals
  •  replace swing set with a new 2 Bay Viking Double seat and Basket Swing set - pictured

image.png

  • refurbish picnic table
  • keep goal posts
  • keep basketball net
  • relocate activity trail
  • relocate climbing frame 
  • new benches
  • new safety play surfaces
  • new stepping stones play equipment 
  • two new equipment items for younger children, selected from options by residents responding in our survey. 

There is plan showing the relocation sites for play equipment and the play surfaces to be installed.

 

 

 

Areas

  • Coombe Hill

Audiences

  • Children and young people
  • Council leaseholders
  • Council tenants
  • Parents
  • Residents

Interests

  • Sport & Leisure