The play area at Churchfields Recreation Ground has been left in poor condition, with a toddler zone fenced off since a child was injured, and a tyre swing broken for over two years.
In the current playground, a tire swing is broken, and part of the play frame is fenced off after a child was hurt last year (Image: FOCR)
Around half of the equipment is either damaged or unsafe to use, and despite its daily use by families, no council funding has been made available to fix it.
Amanda Spencer, a member of the Friends of Churchfields Rec, told the News Shopper: “Half the playground is either broken or not safe. There’s a toddler area where a child was injured, and it’s been cordoned off for months. The community deserves better.”
In response, a group of parents formed the Friends of Churchfields Rec last year and began raising money to completely overhaul the site.
On Saturday, March 29, more than 140 children took part in a community fun run, supported by family, neighbours and local leaders.
The day included a bake sale, sponsorship from Graftons Estate Agents, and donations from across the community. In total, £8,580 was raised, pushing the fundraising total to over £105,000.
One of the biggest recent boosts came from Citygate Church in Beckenham, who donated £10,000 after seeing the efforts of local children raising money through cake stalls, book sales and other creative ideas.
The council provided the group with three design options for the new playground, bronze, silver and gold, each with increasing levels of equipment and features.
The group now needs just under £10,000 more to hit their final target and unlock the gold option design for a new and improved playground.
Amanda said: “We are overwhelmed by the support and generosity of the local community. We now have enough to go ahead with our bronze playground option and can almost afford the silver, but would love to be able to go for gold.
“We would like to say a big thank you to everyone who came or supported Saturday’s fun run, which exceeded our expectations.”
Before the fun run, the group had already secured a number of generous grants and donations, including support from Bromley Council’s Jubilee Fund, UK Power Networks, The National Lottery, and contributions from local residents.
The group came together when a few local parents started talking about how much the playground had declined.
Amanda explained: “It’s been a slow deterioration over time. We all know council budgets are tight, and the maintenance just hasn’t kept up but the park is so well used, it needs proper investment.”
Amanda and her neighbour Kath joined the Friends group, which has grown into a wider team of volunteers.
Kath told the News Shopper: “We walk through the park every day on the school run. It was a lifeline during Covid but the playground just isn’t fit for purpose anymore.
“Sometimes the money just isn’t there for everything, so, you know, we had the opportunity to do something about it, so we have.”
Saturday’s fun run also brought out strong community support. Local MP Liam Conlon attended, alongside Councillors Jeremy Adams and Jessica Arnold, helping out on stalls and cheering the children on.
Amanda said: “”It was a real moment for the community… it was really heartwarming and actually meeting different people that I haven’t necessarily met before and just people coming up to us and thanking us for what we’ve been doing.
“It was probably exceeded our expectations in terms of turnout. People were just so engaged with it and it was really lovely to see.
“The community just took it as an opportunity to come together and the kids have done so much too. It’s been amazing to see.”
Liam Conlon, MP for Beckenham and Penge, said: “The fun run on Saturday was a fantastic event that brought the local community together. It was a lovely afternoon in the sun, and it was great to see so many people enjoying themselves.
“Congratulations to the Friends of Churchfields Rec for all the money they’ve raised so far which will transform Churchfields Rec. And a special thanks to all the kids who took part in the fun run too!”
The design for the new playground includes more accessible and inclusive features, following feedback from local residents.
The sensory zone will be built where the broken tyre swing currently sits and will include low-level swings and tactile activity boards.
A new gym space will offer more for older children and adults, while the cordoned-off toddler area will be completely replaced.
Amanda explained: “We’ve worked closely with local families, surveyed residents, and tried to design something that really meets the community’s needs. We want to create something inclusive, accessible and genuinely useful.
“We’re hoping by the end of summer or start of autumn we’ll have a clearer idea of dates. It’s not in our control, but we’re working with the council to get things moving as soon as we can.”
Donations can still be made and the group is also appealing to local businesses, organisations and anyone who may be able to offer grants or donations to help them reach their final target.
You can reach out by emailing churchfieldsrec@gmail.com.
Any additional support could make the difference in securing the gold option play equipment, bringing the project across the finish line.
