All aboard the playbus

www.lambeth.gov.uk 1 April 2009 • Page 15
All aboard the playbus
A BIG red bus parked in
Kennington Park is set
attract hundreds of young
passengers looking for fun.
The replica Routemaster play
bus has been installed in the park as
part of a £175,000 makeover. The
opening of the park marks the end of
three years hard work by Friends of
Kennington Park and staff at Lambeth
Council’s parks department.
The official opening took place
at the end of March and saw children
from the area enjoying their new
playground. As well as the play area
children also got to find out about a
new three year project designed to
get them excited about nature on
their doorstep. The Play in the Park
project, which is being part funded
by charity Groundwork, will see a
new nature trail created to help
youngsters get closer to local
wildlife.
Gordon Johnston, Chairman of
the Friends of Kennington Park said:
“The Friends of Kennington Park
are delighted at the popularity of the
playground, which has brought more
children and families to the park. We
look forward to the completion of
the nature trail later this year, which
will provide yet another attraction in
Kennington.”
Among the attractions on the
opening day was live music, face
painting and a mini- beast hunt.
Derelict toilets have been refurbished
and the revamp of the area
has seen a once unused part of the
park transformed into a popular spot
for families.
Lambeth Council handed over
£60,000 for the work and the rest
came from a three-year fund raising
campaign run by the friends group.
Councillor Mark Bennett, Cabinet
member for Culture, Leisure
and Sport on Lambeth Council, said:
“The opening of this fantastic new
playground just shows what can be
achieved when local residents and
the council work together. This will
be fantastic for parents and children
in Kennington, and the volunteers
from Friends of Kennington Park
deserve tremendous credit for all the
work they have done to make this
happen.”