Month: June 2021

Shakespeare walk(s) away with top Adventure Play Award 

Hackney confirmed its status as one of London’s top boroughs for play today as Shakespeare Walk Adventure Playground (SWAPA) was named Best Adventure Playground in London. Hackney Marsh Adventure Playground won the award for being the ‘most open adventure play setting; and for the second year running, Enfield’s Carterhatch Infants took the award for Best Adventure Play in a School.     

Around 120 excited children from across the capital descended on the Park Theatre in Finsbury Park for the London Adventure Play Awards on Friday. They had all been shortlisted for the awards, which they had entered with short films or images showing why they thought their playgrounds – in community spaces, schools and fully blown adventure playgrounds – were special.   

They were treated to a selection of the best films and celebrated with popcorn and lots of noise, while compere Charlie Kemp kept the vibe just short of anarchic. Children from the previous award-winning Glamis Adventure Playground in Tower Hamlets had previously selected the winner, and handed over the top prize to an ecstatic Shakespeare group.  

Images submitted for the Shakespeare entry demonstrated only too well why it holds such a special place in the hearts of those who play there. Children are shown building, creating, testing, swinging, cooking with fire, digging and dressing up – in all weathers and always smiling.  The open inclusive atmosphere and the variety of things to do at SWAPA were cited as its main strengths by most children with one saying: “No one is ever left out…  Everyone who goes there becomes part of a family.”  The winning prize is a new playground structure, designed and built by APEs Adventure Playground Engineers with the help of the children, and £500 worth of free materials.  Sponsored by 95.8 Capital FM’s Help a Capital Child, awards were given out in four categories as well as recognising Shakespeare Walk as the overall winner: 

“These fantastic films really captured the spirit of adventure play,” said London Play chair Melian Mansfield. “ In a city where as many as 1 in 4 children are living in overcrowded homes, staffed  adventure playgrounds offer a safe place where they can be outdoors with their friends, experience challenges, explore who they are and what they can do – all critical for healthy development.  Often located in relatively deprived parts of London, adventure playgrounds perform a vital function in our communities and should be funded accordingly. Congratulations to Shakespeare Walk and all the other category winners.” 

Richard Horsnell of 95.8 Capital FM’s Help a Capital Child said: “95.8 Capital FM’s Help a Capital Child is delighted to continue supporting London Play’s annual Adventure Play Awards. Not only is it a fun celebration but the fact that children are voting for their favourite playground and a range of other awards is what makes the event so unique. We’d like to congratulate Shakespeare on winning the overall award, and also say well done to the other winning playgrounds. Giving opportunities to the capital’s children and young people to play is vital, and Help a Capital Child is committed to funding projects at adventure playgrounds across London.” 

White City Adventure Playground returned triumphantly to west London yesterday newly crowned ‘London Adventure Playground of the Year 2014’.

Its success was particularly significant given the plight of two neighbouring adventure playgrounds, Stonebridge and Sands End, now fighting tooth and nail for survival. Playgrounds in Islington, Lambeth and Hackney also saw wins in the London Play awards – while a street in Haringey was named first ever London Play Street of the Year and an Enfield primary cleaned up in the schools category. 

Around 150 children from playgrounds, schools, and play streets across London descended on the Phoenix Cinema in East Finchley yesterday to see films they had entered into the awards about the places, up in lights and on the big screen. The question on everyone’s lips: who would win the coveted main prize?   

Set to Pharrell William’s ‘Happy’, the White City film was shot partially from an improvised tyre-seat on wheels and showed children building stuff from recycled materials, destroying, swinging, climbing, cooking over fire, playing with water, dressing up, getting dirty, painting and generally being free to choose how they play.  

Children from the 2013 winning playground at Shakespeare Walk in Hackney handed over the top prize to an excited White City group. “It’s an amazing place,” said Elnaz, 8. “I’m so happy because I didn’t think we were going to win! It’s fabulous.” Elias, 10 added: “I like going there because you get to build anything you want out of wood.” 

White City is one of the newer adventure playgrounds in London, having evolved over recent years from a more standard childcare facility to the fully-fledged, award-winning adventure playground that it is today. The winning prize will enhance the playground further with a new structure, designed and built by APEs Adventure Playground Engineers with the help of the children, and £500 worth of free materials.   

But with eight award categories for schools and play streets as well as adventure playgrounds, there was plenty more excitement on offer. Along with the films came plenty of popcorn, noise, games and high jinks with compere Charlie Kemp keeping the atmosphere just on the right side of chaos and ensuring that no one went away disappointed.   

Islington’s Lumpy Hill Adventure Playground was named ‘Coolest Place to Play’; Lollard Street in Lambeth won the category for ‘Inventiveness’; the KIDS playground in Hackney for disabled children came top for ‘Variety’ and Houndsfield Primary in Enfield wrested the ‘Best Adventure Play in a School’ award off the reigning two-time champion Carterhatch Infants. Reflecting the inexorable rise of play streets in the capital, the inaugural Play Street of the Year title was taken by a jubilant group from Redston Road in Haringey.  

“As we see yet more adventure playgrounds in London come under threat, this annual event has taken on even greater significance – acknowledging and celebrating the life-affirming and even life-transforming role that these places play in the lives of children and young people,” said London Play chair Melian Mansfield. “Only last month heavyweight boxing champion Audley Harrison credited Harlesden’s Stonebridge Adventure Playground, now threatened with demolition, as the place that he learned ‘respect and key life skills’. 

Cardboard boxes, chaos and crazy kids captured on film bagged Hackney Marsh Adventure Playground the coveted title of 2015 London Adventure Playground of the Year today. In a year which has seen the tragic closure of one of the capital’s oldest adventure playgrounds in Brent, this lively event was a timely reminder of the unique opportunity these places allow children for freedom, creativity and fun.  

Around 120 children from adventure playgrounds, schools, and play streets across London descended on the Prince Charles Cinema in the heart of the West End today, to see the films they had made about the places they play up on the big screen. Organised by charity London Play, there were awards in five categories up for grabs plus an overall winner to be announced – the anticipation was palpable. 

The Hackney Marsh film featured fire, dancing, lots of improvised games with recycled materials, dancing, dressing up, water slides, dancing, obstacle courses, bouncing, swinging and – oh yes – some dancing. “This film captures the essence of barely controlled anarchy that is adventure play at its best,” the judges said. “Lots of improvisation, creativity, craziness and freedom with play workers praised by the children for their ‘immaturity’ – now that’s a compliment!” 

Children from the 2014 winning playground at White City, who chose the winners, handed over the top prize to a jubilant Hackney Marsh group. One of the young award recipients said that the best thing about the playground is: “Freedom and the chance to do what you want.” The victory was even sweeter given that the group has narrowly missed out on the top prize for the past few years’ running – winning in nearly every category but never the main award. 

Anisa, age 9 said of Hackney Marsh: “You get to be as creative as you want, you can make new friends and there is plenty to do and you can never be tired of doing it.” The winning prize will enhance the playground further with a new structure, designed and built by APEs Adventure Playground Engineers with the help of the children, including £500 worth of free materials.   

And the success for Hackney didn’t stop there – Winston Road was named joint London ‘Play Street of the Year’ along with Islington’s Fairbridge Road. They won £250 each to fund an on-street celebration.  

With three other award categories for schools and adventure playgrounds – there was plenty more excitement on offer. Along with the films came plenty of popcorn, noise, games and banana high jinks with compere-gorilla Charlie Kemp keeping the atmosphere just on the right side of chaos and ensuring that no one went away disappointed.   

Lambeth’s Lollard Street Adventure Playground was named ‘Coolest Place to Play’; Lumpy Hill Adventure Playground in Islington won the category for ‘Inventiveness’; and Islington Council’s adventure playgrounds jointly scooped the ‘best film’ award. Newcomer Christ Church Primary in Tower Hamlets took the ‘Best Adventure Play in a School’ award.  

A film and a song created by children to show just how much their playground means to them has bagged them a top award. Bow’s Roman Road Adventure Playground was today named 2016 London Adventure Playground of the Year at a high octane event in the West End. White City Adventure Playground (pictured) is officially London’s ‘Coolest Place to Play’, and Love Lane in Croydon is the capital’s best play street.  

Around 200 children from adventure playgrounds, play streets and schools across London descended on the Prince Charles Cinema in the heart of the West End, to see films they’d made about the places they play, up on the big screen. With awards in five categories up for grabs as well as the overall winner to be announced, the buzz in the air was palpable. 

The Roman Road film featured big swings, plenty of sand, children hacking and sawing and teetering towers of tyres. “A playground so valued by children that play there that they made up a song about it,” said the judges. “Roman Road is clearly important to these children and the lyrics of their song sum up the spirit of adventure play perfectly.” 

Children from the 2015 winning playground at Hackney Marsh, who chose the winners, handed over the award to a euphoric Roman Road group. The winning prize will enhance the playground further with a new structure, designed and built by APEs Adventure Playground Engineers with the help of the children, and £500 worth of free materials.   

Maizie, aged 9 said about Roman Road: “I like to play on the slide, swing and to see my friends.” Francis added: This is the best adventure playground… we have chocolate toast.” 

With five other award categories for schools and play streets as well as adventure playgrounds, there was plenty more excitement on offer. Along with the films came plenty of popcorn, noise, games and high jinks with comperes keeping the atmosphere just on the right side of chaos and ensuring that no one went away disappointed.   

White City Adventure Playground took the prestigious ‘Coolest Place to Play’ award and with it a £500 cash prize for playground improvements.  Croydon’s Love Lane was named Play Street of the Year and Southwark’s Bethwin Road Adventure Playground took the Flick ‘n’ Snap award for a very slick film incorporating footage from a drone.  Lewisham’s Kender School won the ‘best adventure play in a school’ award. Shiremoor Adventure Playground in Tyne and Wear won the inaugural ‘Beyond London’ Award.  

London Play’s chair, Melian Mansfield said:  “As the number of stories in the media highlighting concerns about children’s wellbeing, resilience and happiness continue to rise, the number of adventure playgrounds in London are in decline – with Lambeth and Enfield both closing facilities over recent months. This annual event plays an important role in recognising and celebrating the life-affirming and even life-transforming role that these places play in the lives of children and young people.”  

She continued: “With a quarter of London’s children living in overcrowded homes and one in five overweight or obese, space and opportunity to play is vital. Playgrounds like Roman Road and White City are doing a fantastic job with few resources – we hope that these awards make more people understand how valuable these places are and act to protect them.”  

26.10.2018

Pyrotechnics, stunts and mayhem set a West End cinema screen alight yesterday, to the delight of gathered experts and dignitaries. But this was not your average Hollywood premiere! The 2018 London Adventure Play Awards saw deputy mayor Joanne McCartney join 200 experts in play – children from 15 of the capital’s 80 or so magical adventure playgrounds – to watch films they had made about the places they love to play up on the big screen at the Prince Charles Cinema. 

Lambeth’s Triangle Adventure Playground scooped not only the prestigious playground of the year award but also ‘Coolest Place to Play’ with its film featuring a two-storey high bonfire, chanting children and mud aplenty. Redbridge’s ELHAP playground for disabled and disadvantaged children and their siblings won the ‘All-Inclusive’ award – and a fleet of space hoppers – while Islington’s King Henry’s Walk took ‘Best Flick’ for its blockbuster-trailer-inspired movie. Finally, Haringey newcomer Mount Pleasant Road was named London’s Play Street of the Year with its film showing tug-o-war and go karts in the rain. 

Fifteen playgrounds were shortlisted for awards as well as two play street finalists. Children from the 2017 Playground of the Year, Cape Adventure Playground, chose the winner. The Cape judges were initially sceptical that any playground could rival their own; but were won over by the Triangle film entry showing kids playing in sun, rain and even snow. Judge Kemi, 10 said: “I want to go there, now!” Jasmine, 12 added: “It’s cool, I really like this one.” There feelings of the children who play there were clear, with the film opening to the chant: “We love Triangle, we love Triangle!” Amira, 10 said “Triangle is special because you have lots of adventure. You play on tyre swings and slides. The Triangle staff are funny, creative and enjoyable to be around.” 

The winning prize will see Triangle children working with APEs Adventure Playground Engineers to design and build a new play structure with £500 of materials. Other prizes were donated by Marks Barfield (a trip in a private pod on the London Eye); and Timberplay (a set of play bales). Along with the films came plenty of popcorn, noise, games and high jinks with compere Charlie keeping the atmosphere just on the right side of chaos. 

Presenting the main award, deputy mayor Joanne McCartney said: “I really enjoyed seeing the films you all made. It’s clear how much fun you have and how important your adventure playgrounds are to you. I understand how important play is; and making friends too – and I can see that this is what happens in these places.” 

Cinzia, 16 was part of the Triangle winning group. She said: “The fact that adventure playgrounds even exist is great. They are places that children of all ages can go and play and be free and do stuff that they want.” Anna, 9 added: “I’m very happy to win, I thought it would be another playground – I’m speechless!” 

London Play’s chair, Melian Mansfield said: “Congratulations to Triangle, ELHAP and King Henry’s Walk adventure playgrounds on their awards. Thank you too, for showing us what all children deserve to have access to: high quality, adventurous play in their communities. These annual awards remind us how important it is to protect them for future generations.” 

John O’Driscoll, director of main award sponsors APES said: “The London Adventure Play Awards offer vital recognition of the difference play makes in the capital, and it’s a privilege to be associated with them.” 

ELHAP Adventure Playground in Redbridge is the most happening Adventure Playground in London!

 The specialist playground was named London Adventure Playground of the Year 2019 at a noisy, celebratory event in central London. The playground works with children and young people with disabilities or who are disadvantaged 

Children are in charge at any good adventure playground and the ELHAP film raised squeals of delight from the young audience with its messy scenes of compliant playworkers being doused in paint, slime and other disgusting goo by children that play there.  

The judging panel, formed of children from the Triangle Adventure Playground (The previous years winners, also loved the video from ELHAP because the children got to “make the play workers wet and dirty.” 

ELHAP’s prize is the opportunity to work with APES Adventure Playground Engineers to design and build a new play structure with £500 of free materials. 

Director Rob Dighton said of the win: “We are so honoured to receive this award and it is a wonderful testimony to all our volunteers, staff and trustees who have worked tirelessly to keep developing ELHAP.”