Children in South East London have been enjoying summer days splashing around in the water thanks to a new water play area.
The new facility at Brockwell Park has opened in time for the school summer holidays and includes a paddling pool, rock pools, a stream and a sandpit. The play area also has lots of features for children to explore and a grassed area with shade for families to sit in.
The play area cost around £360,000 to create and was funded by Lambeth Council, the Big Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Dick Sheppard Trust.
Councillor Florence Nosegbe, cabinet member for culture, sport and the 2012 Games at Lambeth Council, said: “On a warm day I can’t imagine many places better for children and their families to come and play and enjoy themselves. This is a tremendous new facility and I can’t wait to see it being used.
“Play is a vital part of growing up and integral to a child’s development. It helps children learn about themselves, the world in which they live, and how to relate to others and build social skills. This new water park provides the perfect environment for children to have fun and learn at the same time, so I’m delighted to see it being opened.”
Sue Bowers, head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in London, said: “It’s great news that this new and exciting part of the wider Brockwell Park redevelopment project has now been completed. It will be a great asset to this much-loved park and I’m sure it will be well used by local children and encourage them and their families to come in and enjoy everything this precious green space has to offer.”
Four clubs and shields made by Aborigines in the 1830s have been borrowed by the National Museum of Australia in Canberra.
The objects were given to the museum by 19th century surveyor John Helder Wedge.