Protesters gathered at the Town Hall on Wednesday night to demand clarity on the review, urging the council to ensure that this vital facility remains open.
Coldharbour Adventure Play Centre at The Course, Coldharbour Estate provides a safe space for children and young people, offering activities such as football, pool, and arts and crafts.
It is free to use and staffed by trained professionals. Campaigners fear that the review could lead to cuts or closures, despite the centre’s importance to the community.
Council documents indicate plans to “invest in new play facilities” and explore opportunities for targeted youth programmes through external agencies.
The proposal suggests reviewing the current provision, which currently operates for 30 hours a week, and considering alternative sites and models that could offer extended hours and increased accessibility.
Campaigners argue that removing staffed play centres in favour of unstaffed open spaces could have detrimental effects on local families who rely on these structured environments for safe and supervised play.
The council’s proposals include refurbishing or replacing certain sites, investing in nearby facilities, and expanding access to alternative play spaces.
Greenwich Council’s review of adventure play centres must involve young people, according to Conservative opposition leader Matt Hartley.
The Overview and Scrutiny Committee later backed this as a formal recommendation to the Cabinet.
A petition started by Martin Sheehan highlights the centre’s role in providing meals during school holidays and a safe space in an area where youth violence is a serious concern.
He warns that closing such facilities could leave vulnerable children without essential support.
The petition reads: “Growing up, my local adventure play centre and youth club in Coldharbour was more than just a hub for the community, it was a home.
“It was a safe haven for children like myself, a place where we were not just protected but also nurtured.
“And it wasn’t just about play, but about fulfilling the basic needs of many children in our community, providing meals during the half term and summer months.
“This essential support channel was threatened with closure a few years ago, with the woefully inadequate justification that there were others nearby.
“But I know that moving children around, especially in an area like ours where stabbings are a tragically common occurrence, is not a safer option.”
Councillor Matt Hartley, Leader of the Opposition on the Council who represents the area covered by Coldharbour Adventure Play Centre, said: “Play Centres like Coldharbour Adventure Play Centre play an absolutely crucial role in the community – they’re part of the fabric of the area.
“I am very concerned about what Greenwich Council’s review will mean for the children and young people who benefit so much from this provision.
“Families and staff need clarity, straight away, from the Council about what this review will mean for specific sites.
“And so far, no one from the Council has actually spoken to the young people who use these centres – which needs correcting as soon as possible.
“Children and families who use the service need to be fully involved as any decisions are made, and so do the staff who work absolutely tirelessly for the young people they support.”
The News Shopper has approached Greenwich Council for further comment.
