The future of Greenwich’s adventure playgrounds remains in doubt with the council set to make a decision on five sites after a public consultation.
As part of its medium term financial strategy for 2025/26 that was agreed in February, Greenwich Council announced it would review its adventure play centres (APCs) in order to save £400,000 this year, and £2.2 million over the next four years.
The council stated that these savings present “an opportunity to invest in some of the APC sites, or in other facilities in close proximity, to provide an up-to-date more accessible offer, with fewer limitations”.
Residents fear this might mean some of the much-loved centres, which feature differing play equipment at each including rope swings, walk ways and zip wires, will close. Some also feature indoor activities like arts and crafts and table tennis.
There are five APCs in Greenwich, three of which — Plumstead, Glyndon and Coldharbour — were discussed at a full meeting of Greenwich Council on Wednesday, July 23.
The responses to two petitions launched to safeguard the future of the Plumstead and Coldharbour centres were heard in the council chambers. A total of 104 residents signed a petition launched by Michael Suckoo which called upon the council to keep Plumstead APC open.
Cllr Sandra Bauer, Greenwich’s Cabinet Member for Equality, Culture and Communities, responded to the petition and said the council would be launching a public consultation on its youth play offer in the “coming weeks”.
Speaking at the meeting, Mr Suckoo claimed that Cllr Bauer had already confirmed to staff at Glyndon APC that it would remain open. He also asked for the cost of running the centres to be made publicly available.
In response to Mr Suckoo, Cllr Bauer said: “Just to clarify about Glyndon, when I visited [the staff] said to me ‘I suppose it’s going to be closed’.
“I said there was a consultation and there was not an immediate decision. Then they shouted out ‘It’s not going to be closed’. That was their own interpretation of what I said, not what I said.”
In regards to the cost figures Mr Suckoo requested to see, Cllr Bauer said they would be provided as part of the upcoming consultation.
A second petition discussed at the meeting was launched by Martin Sheehan who called for Greenwich Council to give certainty over the future of Coldharbour APC. It was signed by around 1,300 people.
Cllr Bauer responded to the petition in the same way she responded to Mr Suckoo’s, stating the consultation on the APC matter would begin soon.
Cllr Roger Tester spoke on behalf of Mr Sheehan at the meeting. He said: “The Coldharbour centre is a long-established and well-attended site which provides a first-class service for local children who can play in a safe environment. The uncertainty of its future is causing anxiety among children, parents and staff alike.
“Unfortunately this response does not provide any clarity and I ask the cabinet member to please provide a clear timetable for the consultation to begin and a clear timetable for the final decision to be made.”
In response, Cllr Bauer said: “I am sorry that it hasn’t started yet and I’m sorry that I can’t provide you with the full timetable.
“We are absolutely committed to doing this right and we need more information. I am sorry that it’s taking so long but we have to do it right and that’s what we are going to do.”
