Cornwallis Adventure Playground is re-opening next Tuesday, after 17 months of renovation.
The playground, run by community interest company ‘Awesome‘ on Cornwallis Road, will offer local children access, food and activities for free.
This is part funded by Islington Council, along with donations from their Lunch Bunch programme, which funds free lunches and activities for disadvantaged children and The Felix Project, who redistribute unsold food.
Francesca Silvester, Head of Play services at Awesome, who run six adventure playgrounds in Islington, said “it’s so exciting, its actually happening now”.
As well as new equipment, this is also the return of a much-valued community hub – “a lot of families have really missed it, it’s been their home away from home for generations”.
Annie-Mae Beattie, who manages Cornwallis, is passionate about offering children activities away from technology. She said: “I just want kids to be kids, to embrace their surroundings.”
Children were consulted during the planning process, and Ms Silvester hopes to introduce a youth leadership programme, empowering teenagers to act as role models for the younger children at Cornwallis.
Ms Beattie emphasised the value of the Adventure Playground, saying “so many families need us as much as we want them here.”
There will be a community event on Saturday 16th December, from 12 noon to 3pm, with “games, face-painting, and much more on the day!”.
