The playground will be closed for works from next Monday (13th January) until the end of March, reports Marco Marcelline
How the playground is expected to look once open in late March, Credit: Waltham Forest Council/Proludic
Waltham Forest Council has confirmed it will spend £250,000 of community infrastructure levy (CIL) money to refurbish the Lloyd Park playground.
CIL comes from landowners or developers who commit money to local authorities as part of the planning process for projects.
In a public statement confirming the CIL funding, council leader Grace Williams said: “We want the new playground to improve and increase play value (for more users) and be more inclusive and accessible.
“The facilities will maintain play provision for children aged 0-12 years old and include more specific provision for girls and teenagers. The new playground will be built on the existing footprint and retain key infrastructure such as sand pit, paths, concrete seating, walls and trees and fit within the existing landscape.”
Cllr Williams added that the playground will be closed for works from next Monday (13th January) until the end of March “depending on weather conditions”.
While it’s shut, families have been advised to instead visit nearby playgrounds in Greenleaf Road, Folly Lane, Stoneydown Park, Cheney Row Park, Higham Hill Park and Kitchener Park.
The council held engagement sessions with families and stakeholders to help design the new playground last year.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service previously reported that the council is sitting on more than £19million in unspent infrastructure funding that must be spent in the next five years.
£9m is set to go towards the redevelopment of Leyton Station, with £3.5m going towards improvements to Lea Bridge Station, and a total of £2.6m going to Walthamstow Central improvements that include a new step free entrance.
The council is also sitting on £1m for Fellowship Square and £250,000 for improvements to Drapers Field in Leyton.
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