Barnet Council unveils East Finchley park transformation
Barnet Council has unveiled a renovated playground in East Finchley, transforming it into a green park which contributes to its net zero aims.
The borough aims to be net zero borough by 2042 and the council is hoping to make itself net zero by 2030.
It’s been a four-year journey for the park from the original imaginative vision, through extensive community consultation and the design, fundraising and build phases to deliver the transformation.
The renovated playground was officially opened on Sunday during a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by the deputy mayor of Barnet, councilor Danny Rich.
Samantha Haycock, from Friends of Market Place Playground, says: “Watching children of all ages pour into the playground on the first day was pure joy. It’s been wonderful to surprise, delight and inspire them.
“The physical and health benefits of the new space are obvious, but there’s also a bigger message to the next generation – that it is possible to make a positive and lasting change to your environment.”
Thanks to a collaborative approach to fundraising across the community and beyond, as well as council investment, a total of £464,000 in improvements to the Market Place Playground have been made.
These include new swings, benches, picnic areas, cycle racks, a climbing frame, a slide and more.
The concrete and old tarmac flooring has been replaced with a fun sandy area for children to play in, and the park now features wider stretches of grass and safer surfacing, making it a safer place to play.
Cllr Alison Moore, cabinet member for Health & Wellbeing and East Finchley Ward Member, adds: “I want to thank everyone who has worked hard throughout an intensely collaborative process to make this wonderful playground a reality.
“Not only is it a place where youngsters can have lots of fun, but it will also help keep our young people active, encouraging imaginative play and improving their health and wellbeing, and give families and friends a place to meet and relax.”
Funding for the playground came from various sources, including the council’s Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), which uses money from developers to offset the negative effects of urban development.
The biggest contributions came from Barnet Council – East Area Committee, which provided £150,000, while £56,750 came from the Major of London’s Grow Back Greener initiative.