|
||||||
|
||||||
|
||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
||
| FEATURES | By SUNITA RAPPAI |
|
|
The playground in Raydon Street has been out of use since Camden Council fenced it off three years ago after vandals twice destroyed park equipment, including swings and a seesaw. But disagreements over designs for an improved park have meant children have been left with nowhere to play, according to the group of mums in nearby Balmore Street. The mums, known as the Secret Garden Gang, originally came together to tackle the renovation of a smaller park in the area – the patch of land in Raydon Street known as the secret garden. With that project nearly complete, they have turned their attention to the Raydon Street play area between Doynton and Balmore streets. Shirley Moy, chairwoman of the group, said: “It seemed as if everyone had forgotten about the park, which had become an eyesore because of the fencing. “We were sick and tired of our kids playing in the street. We wanted an area that was safe.” Since January the mothers have been working closely with Highgate Newtown Neighbourhood Partnership (HNNP), an umbrella group of local organisations, to push forward new designs for the park. Labour councillor Maggie Cosin, HNNP chairwoman, said the project was one of a number set up to regenerate the deprived area. She said: “We have been working hard since 1997 towards the regeneration of this area, talking to a variety of groups to find out what people want. “We’ve learned from our mistakes. We had a programme years ago but people didn’t like the design and we didn’t have enough money. “Now we have done an in-depth consultation to find out what people need and to encourage them to take ownership of the area, like the Secret Garden Gang, which has grown out of this partnership. “And we have successfully applied for funding from a variety of sources, like the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund, so we have the money to move forward with the projects.” The HNNP has hired an architect to come up with radical new designs for the park – based on consultations with the young people who will use it. The designs are currently on show in Highgate Newtown shop in Chester Road. Nick Roxon, from the Highgate Newtown Community Centre, said: “What we are trying to do is find a design that breaks the mould and that could appeal to kids of all ages, so the park won’t get vandalised. “The design is experimental rather than traditional. “We’re looking at incorporating a kick-about space for young people, for example, and imaginative seating and a possible rock formation.” He added: “The women from the Secret Garden Gang have certainly given the project new energy from the bottom up. “It’s unusual, especially in areas like this, for people to be prepared to come forward and stick their heads above the parapet to change things. “You have to admire them for being prepared to do that.” |
|
