Children's Play Area Refurbishment

During March 2026, we asked Havering residents for their support to help us bid for external funding for these play areas in our parks:

• Bosworth Field (Myrtle Road) Playsite 
• Forest Row Playsite
• Oldchurch Playsite
• North Hill Recreation Ground (Rocket Park)
• Keats Avenue Playsite
• Collier Row Recreation Ground
• Chelmsford Avenue Playsite

Funding providers want to see how much local communities value their play spaces, so we asked you to tell us why the play area in your local park matters; why it needs improving and how a refurbishment would benefit children and families in your community.

We received 24 online responses to our survey.

• Residents value having a playground within walking distance, particularly families living in flats without gardens. Even where equipment is poor, people express gratitude that a play space exists locally and recognise its importance for everyday use.

• Many comments highlight how vital playgrounds are for children’s physical activity, social interaction, mental wellbeing and family life. Residents clearly care about these spaces and see them as essential community assets worth investing in.

• Although some feedback is critical, residents are very positive about what the playground could be. There is strong enthusiasm for refurbishment, new equipment and better design, with many constructive ideas offered, showing optimism and support for future improvements

The top three most common concerns raised by residents were:

1. Old, worn out and outdated equipment

Residents repeatedly described the playground equipment as very old, run down and past its usable life. Many comments refer to rust, peeling paint, equipment being “20 years old”, and features that no longer work or are no longer attractive to children.

2. Safety issues and hazards

Safety is a major concern throughout the feedback. Residents mentioned broken or unstable swings, damaged or uneven surfacing, rusty joints, broken glass, graffiti, dog mess, and other hazards. Parents expressed worry about the risk of trips, falls and serious injuries, particularly for younger children and toddlers.

3. Lack of enough engaging play for different ages

Many residents felt there is not enough equipment and that what is provided is boring or not suitable for the number of children using the space. There were frequent comments about limited choice, poor design, overcrowding, and a lack of age-appropriate play for both younger children and older children.

Your feedback will be used to support our applications for external funding for necessary refurbishments, and we will update this page with our plans if successful.