Families in Southfields have another Coronation to consider

With royal fever gripping the nation ahead of this weekend’s Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III, young families in Southfields may also be thinking about another Coronation.

They are being invited to take part in a consultation that will determine how a new look play area will be delivered in their local park - Coronation Gardens.

This local green space dates back to 1902 and commemorates the coronation of King Edward VII in August of that year. It was donated to the people of Wandsworth by Sir William Lancaster, a businessman, philanthropist and politician who served as the second Mayor of Wandsworth between 1901 and 1902 and who also co-founded the Putney School of Art and Design.

Parents and children are now being asked to choose from three designs for a refurbished play area in Coronation Gardens. The designs have been created following feedback from an earlier round of public consultation.

In total £143,000 has been set aside for the playground revamp, with a further £30,000 allocated for biodiversity improvements in and around the play area.

Judi Gasser, Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “We hope parents and children who live nearby and use this play area will have a look at these exciting designs and tell us which one they like best.

“Last summer’s initial consultation helped us to better understand what local residents think of the existing playground and how they felt it could be improved. Their feedback was really important in helping us create these three distinctive new designs and layouts for this popular community space.

“I’m delighted too that part of the project also involves an opportunity to encourage wildlife through improved biodiversity planting.
“We want to deliver an excellent new playground for children in the area and local families can play a pivotal role in helping us choose the right design.”

To view the designs and deliver feedback, people should visit https://haveyoursay.citizenspace.com/wandsworthecs/coronation-gardens-23.

Residents who would prefer to fill in a paper copy of the questionnaire can email parks@enablelc.org or phone (020) 3959 0060. The consultation closes on May 17.