On the final day of Love Parks Week, Croydon Council has announced that Park Hill Park will see nearly £140k in funding for a new playground and disabled toilets.
Yesterday (Sunday 6 August), Executive Mayor Jason Perry and cabinet member for environment, Councillor Scott Roche were joined by members of the Friends of Park Hill Park, as well as council staff, to celebrate the announcement.
The funding will come from Section 106 obligations – money the council receives from developers for local infrastructure – and responds directly to long standing calls for disabled toilets in the popular central Croydon park.
Plans for the playground will be announced in the coming weeks, with a consultation/engagement to take place with the community for their input in the design.
During Love Parks Week, which began on Friday 28 July, Croydon has also announced that Wandle Park has won the international Green Flag accolade.
“I’m delighted we have been able to secure funding to invest in this much-loved green space, and make it accessible for more members of the community. The new toilets – as well as the new playground – will be more inclusive and disability-friendly.”
“I’m glad we are restoring a long delayed commitment to improve and care for our parks, and getting back to doing the work that needs to be done to make Park Hill a friendlier and more accessible space for everyone to enjoy.”
Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon
Catherine Graham and Josi Kiss, co-chairs of the Friends of Park Hill Park said: “We are very pleased to learn that there are plans to install a disabled toilet and make improvements to the children’s playground in the park.
“The Friends have been campaigning for these improvements since 2014. The new improvements will benefit all park users and people who attend our community gardening and wellbeing activities.
“We have been lobbying for new and safe equipment for the 40-year-old playground. This has become more apparent as use has grown with an increase in usage by children living in flats close to the park. We look forward to the consultation about the playground, and will be encouraging families to get involved.”
