A scheme that sees Croydon Council close a residential road so that families can play safely outdoors has been voted the best in London.
In September 2015, more than 50 children and their parents from Love Lane, in Woodside, began their first Play Street event, enabling residents to enjoy games in the sunshine while the council kept their road temporarily traffic-free.
On Thursday (27), Love Lane residents of all ages attended the 2016 Adventure Play Awards in Leicester Square, where their project was named Play Street of the Year, beating off competition from fellow finalist streets in Hammersmith & Fulham, Islington, Southwark and Haringey.
The council introduced Play Streets by making it easier for residents to apply for temporary road closures. Love Lane’s Play Street has since become monthly, and eight more have launched across the borough, including the borough’s first school-run Play Street in Brampton Road, Addiscombe.
“We now have several successful Play Streets in the borough, but it’s great that one of them is officially the best in London. This shows what community projects in Croydon can achieve – well done, Love Lane!”
Councillor Stuart King, cabinet member for transport and environment
Councillor Tony Newman, council leader and ward member for Woodside that includes Love Lane, said: “We made a manifesto pledge to introduce Play Streets in Croydon, and I’m very proud that residents in my ward have made such a success of it.”
The 2016 Adventure Play Awards were run by London Play, a charity that campaigns to give children time and space to enjoy play despite the growth of traffic, encroaching development and a more risk-averse culture.
More funding is still available from London Play to provide games equipment for parents keen on setting up their own local Play Street, and anyone interested in applying to Croydon Council for help setting up their own scheme should email cfp@croydon.gov.uk or call 020 8726 6400 ext. 63371.
For more information on setting up a Play Street in Croydon, visit: www.croydon.gov.uk/healthsocial/families/ccfpartnership/playstreets
