I work as a nanny and enjoy spending time at this playground with my 2 year old charge every week. He really enjoys digging in the sand, so I hope if they do refurbish this site, they leave some of the sand to explore. I also like that the majority of the equipment is suitable for really small kids and there’s nothing my 2 year old needs help to climb. He can safely and independently navigate the main play structure. The same cannot be said for most other playgrounds in the area. I agree it could do with some attention, but it would be a shame for it to be completely remodelled.

Shame they don’t seem to have any plans to refurbish the playground.
Why waste time and money fixing it when it’s evident it’s in need to new equipment.
It’s like polishing a turd!

[quote=SJR post_id=266072 time=1615900595 user_id=50407] This is a great initiative. I have written to the council a few times about this playground. Here is my email from a few of months ago, plus their response:[/quote]

Hi SJR,

Thank you very much for you post, I send the similar email, since then they jet washed the floor pushing all the dirt to the side. On the next rain the dirt is all over the place. They did not look at the uneven surfaces and still some of the equipment is broken.


Regards,

[attachment=0]IMG_4794.jpeg[/attachment]

[attachment=0]IMG_4909.jpeg[/attachment][attachment=1]IMG_4908.jpeg[/attachment][attachment=2]IMG_4907.jpeg[/attachment]Here are some of the images shared with the council. 

This is a great initiative. I have written to the council a few times about this playground. Here is my email from a few of months ago, plus their response:
 
[align=center] ----- ----- ----- -----[/align]
[align=right]29 December 2020[/align]

Dear Madam/Sir,

I am writing about the state of the [b]Clapham Common Westside Playground[/b]. We have frequented the playground for a number of years since our son was born, and before that with young nephews. The playground is now in the worst state of repair since I moved to the area in 2001. 

There are serious health, safety and cleanliness issues that I believe require urgent attention. I have attached pictures showing uneven (ground) surfaces, poor drainage which collects stagnant water, mud and sand (which has become sludge). The metal framework around the swings is not sturdy and close to collapse in some places. And one of four shock absorbers on the jeep has been broken for many years. 

Since the demolition of the sand pit a number of years ago, sand was distributed around the playground instead of being removed. That is now on all the surfaces, making it easy for children to slip and fall. A large amount of sand has also collected under the train, where rats have been regularly seen. We can only assume they are living there. 

In September a large amount of (clearly) human excrement was left inside the train. It was cordoned off but not cleaned for three days. When it was cleaned a council worker was dispatched with a bucket, broom and disinfectant. It was clearly not adequate equipment for either the maintenance man or the task at hand.

All these issues are openly apparent and would be immediately picked up in any routine inspection of the playground. In addition, throughout the pandemic, there has been no additional cleaning, not even after the playground was re-opened after being closed through the first national lockdown. There are also no signs to encourage parents to wear masks and take sensible precautions, something which playgrounds in other boroughs have had for months. 

It takes only short trips to playgrounds in other boroughs (notably Wandsworth and Chelsea) where playgrounds are in much better state of repair. 

While I fully understand that public finances are under sever pressure, and have been well before the pandemic, it must be a priority to ensure our children are able to play in a safe, clean and well maintained environment. I refer you to Section 10 from the Lambeth Parks Maintenance 2020-21 Specification document. The attached pictures are adequate proof that this is not the case in this playground:
[quote][b]Section 10 – Children’s play areas Desired outcomes: [/b]

The provision of safe, clean, well maintained and accessible children’s play facilities. 

[url]https://www.lambeth.gov.uk/sites/default/files/lambeth-parks-ground-maintenance-2020-21-specification.pdf[/url] [/quote]


I urge the council to inspect the playground as a matter of urgency and look forward to a response on how this might be addressed, even if it is incrementally.

Your faithfully,
[align=center]
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[align=right]8 January 2021[/align]
 
[align=start][size=100][font=Calibri,sans-serif][color=#000000]Dear SJR[/color][/font][/size][/align]
[align=start] [/align]
[align=start][size=100][font=Calibri,sans-serif][color=#000000]Thank you for contacting the Lambeth Parks Team, I am sorry that you are not feeling satisfied regarding the Battersea Rise/Clapham Common Westside Play Area.[/color][/font][/size][/align]
[align=start] [/align]
[align=start][size=100][font=Calibri,sans-serif][color=#000000]The issue regarding the human waste you mentioned has been investigated with our operations team. At the time there was an issue with the jet washer, therefore the equipment was scrubbed to ensure cleanliness and hygiene, then jet washed when the equipment was operational.[/color][/font][/size][/align]
[align=start] [/align]
[align=start][size=100][font=Calibri,sans-serif][color=#000000]Your health and safety concerns regarding the swings was not in our most recent ROSPA inspection. The shock absorber on the play jeep was mentioned, but not as an issue that causes a risk to the public. We will be investigating the replacement of this part as mentioned below.[/color][/font][/size][/align]
[align=start] [/align]
[align=start][size=100][font=Calibri,sans-serif][color=#000000]There does appear to be a build up of sand on the site. We will therefore be carrying out the following actions to restore the appearance of the play area:[/color][/font][/size][/align]
[align=start] [/align]
[align=start][size=100][font=Calibri,sans-serif][color=#000000]Short term (next couple of weeks)[/color][/font][/size][/align]
[align=start] [/align]
[align=start][size=100][font=Calibri,sans-serif][color=#000000]•             Jet washing the hard standing areas to make them free of sand[/color][/font][/size][/align]
[align=start][size=100][font=Calibri,sans-serif][color=#000000]•             Brushing the safety surface clean of sand and debris.[/color][/font][/size][/align]
[align=start][size=100][font=Calibri,sans-serif][color=#000000]•             Remove the grass mats beneath the mushrooms and rake the ground level[/color][/font][/size][/align]
[align=start][size=100][font=Calibri,sans-serif][color=#000000]•             Lose as much of the excess sand in the surrounding grass area.[/color][/font][/size][/align]
[align=start] [/align]
[align=start][size=100][font=Calibri,sans-serif][color=#000000]In the next few months, weather permitting, we will also look to:[/color][/font][/size][/align]
[align=start] [/align]
[align=start][size=100][font=Calibri,sans-serif][color=#000000]•             Replace the surface under the swings with tiger mulch, a porous surface, which will hopefully relieve some of the flooding issues.[/color][/font][/size][/align]
[align=start][size=100][font=Calibri,sans-serif][color=#000000]•             Cleaning then repainting the equipment, restoring the original colour[/color][/font][/size][/align]
[align=start][size=100][font=Calibri,sans-serif][color=#000000]•             Look to remove as much sand from this area as possible to reduce problems moving forward.[/color][/font][/size][/align]
[list]
[*]       Investigate the replacement of the shock absorber on the HAGS jeep.
[/list]
[align=start] [/align]
[align=start][size=100][font=Calibri,sans-serif][color=#000000]If you have any further questions or queries please do not hesitate to get back to me.[/color][/font][/size][/align]
[align=start] [/align]
[align=start][size=100][font=Calibri,sans-serif][color=#000000]Kind regards[/color][/font][/size][/align]
[align=start] [/align]
[align=start] [/align]
[align=start][size=100][font=Calibri,sans-serif][color=#000000]Tom Smith[/color][/font][/size][/align]
[align=start][size=100][font=Calibri,sans-serif][color=#000000]Parks Development Officer[/color][/font][/size][/align]
[align=start][size=100][font=Calibri,sans-serif][color=#000000]Environment and Streetscene[/color][/font][/size][/align]
[align=start][size=100][font=Calibri,sans-serif][color=#000000]Residents’ Services[/color][/font][/size][/align]
[align=start][size=100][font=Calibri,sans-serif][color=#000000]Email: [email]tsmith@lambeth.gov.uk[/email][/color][/font][/size][/align]
[align=start][size=100][font=Calibri,sans-serif][color=#000000][url=http://www.lambeth.gov.uk/]www.lambeth.gov.uk[/url][/color][/font][/size][/align]
[align=start] [/align]
 
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Thank you. Good to hear it’s in the right council website

Please fix the children’s playground

Lambeth have been neglecting the commons for years, they don’t maintain it properly IMO.
They only tend take action when Equipment is completely worn out and damaged as they then need to step in for health and safety.
They tend to take down broken equipment rather than replace.
This was the case for several parts of the now finally refurbished playground on the other side.
It was WELL OVERDUE.

Please Keep complaining, make yourselves heard, write, call, complain, sign petition

They more the merrier and maybe they will be made to listen.

They actually did some work not long before Covid hit updating the dangerous and really worn parts of the park. This was when the track for scooters was included too. Hopefully the netting will be sorted around mushrooms as part of the maintenance regardless of whether or not it will be fully updated like the windmill park.

[quote=RSpurr post_id=265830 time=1615234311]Hi,

Love that you’ve set up this petition. Would be wonderful to get a new playground there. Only thing is - isn’t that playground in Wandsworth and not Lambeth? Hoping the petition is on the right council website but just wanted to flag it up in case not??[/quote]

Hi, 

You have hit the nail on the head! All Clapham Common is part of Lambeth Council, but that area is surrounded by Wandsworth council. Hence, there is a feeling that part of the common is neglected by Lambeth Council.

Regards,
 

Hi,

Love that you’ve set up this petition. Would be wonderful to get a new playground there. Only thing is - isn’t that playground in Wandsworth and not Lambeth? Hoping the petition is on the right council website but just wanted to flag it up in case not??

yes the playground is outdated and needs to be redone for the kids

[quote="Clapham dweller" post_id=265793 time=1615197368 user_id=56081]I see mud which isn’t surprising given we are coming out of Winter. The playground isn’t as bright and shiny as windmill drive but it’s not in a state of disrepair. What’s more, it’s nice and quiet now everyone has gone to the new one. If they do redo this I hope it won’t take 4 months like the last one did.[/quote]

Here are some pictures of the park this weekend. It has been generally dry, but you can see there is dirt all over the place, and there is now netting coming out between the mushrooms, in the 25min stay we saw 2 kids trip on them.

The place it does not get much or any attention.
 

I see mud which isn’t surprising given we are coming out of Winter. The playground isn’t as bright and shiny as windmill drive but it’s not in a state of disrepair. What’s more, it’s nice and quiet now everyone has gone to the new one. If they do redo this I hope it won’t take 4 months like the last one did.

After the playground at Windmill drive on Clapham Common South side was recently refurbished, I noticed that the much loved blue 'Thomas' train from the playground had been removed and put to one side.

I emailed the council about it, as I was concerned that it might be going for scrap, but they have assured me that it is going to be refurbished and transferred over to the west side playground, so I am assuming that they have plans already in place to update the rest of that playground when they relocate the train.