New playground and outdoor gym open at Evelyn Green
Damien Egan, the Mayor of Lewisham was joined by the three former Mayoresses, Cllr Brenda Dacres, Deputy Mayor, and local residents to celebrate the opening of the newly refurbished playground and outdoor gym, both situated alongside the very popular Blue Cage multi-use games area which was opened last autumn. The Mayor cut the ribbon on the playground, looked at the new gym equipment and then chatted to Evelyn residents at the community fun day.
The aim of the new playground was to create and safe and welcoming space for families and also a safe space for girls to communally gather. The new play equipment includes a basket swing, slides, see-saw, rope bridge, balance beams, a springer and a carousel. There are new benches and seating as well as a shelter for young people and families to be able to relax, socialise and picnic.
The new outdoor fitness area is positioned next to the very popular Multi-Use Games Area, known locally as the Blue Cage. The aim of this equipment is to get people exercising outdoors in the fresh air and enjoy the social aspect of working out with others. The equipment provides users of all ages and abilities the chance to engage in a variety of exercises and will hopefully help motivate people to feel the benefits of moderate intensity exercise. In addition to this, a new drinking water fountain has been installed for those building up a thirst in their work-outs!
These new facilities for Evelyn Green meet the obligations and aims set out in Lewisham Council’s Parks & Open Spaces Strategy. The Council has worked with a range of partners on this project including the former mayoresses, the Evelyn Tenants Residents Association, Lewisham Homes, Glendale and Kompan.
Alongside this, the Council will continue to work with community groups to secure more future funding for further green investments in Deptford, prioritising the health and wellbeing of residents of all ages.
Damien Egan, Mayor of Lewisham said:
“I’m so excited to see these fantastic new facilities now finished and in use at Evelyn Green. Thank you to our three former mayoresses, the Evelyn Tenants Residents Association, and all the residents on the Evelyn estate who have helped with this project.
“Our ground-breaking Play Strategy is a key manifesto pledge for us to support children’s quality of life, well-being and development and create a new long- term investment programme to refurbish or replace all play areas across Lewisham.
“Outdoor space is so vital for children and for all our residents, particularly in areas where many families do not have their own gardens. We have targeted Section 106 and NCIL funding to parts of our borough that need it the most. Residents in Evelyn have enjoyed their new basketball courts over the last year and I hope they enjoy their brilliant new playground and outdoor gym for years to come!”
Cllr Andre Bourne, Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure said:
“We are very proud of our award-winning parks and green spaces in Lewisham. The Council’s investments in Deptford parks are a recognition of the importance of physical activity for children and people of all ages and abilities.
“We have recently published our Physical Activity Strategy to help our residents get more active and we hope that that these fantastic new facilities at Evelyn Green and in other parts of the borough help to encourage people of all ages to get moving to help both physical and mental wellbeing.”