The ribbon ready to cut at Coram’s Fields

A NEW era of play has begun at Coram’s Fields, where the new Junior Play Zone officially opened last Thursday – unveiling an inclusive space shaped by the children it was built for, writes Catlin Maskell.

At the opening, chief executive Stuart Woods said: “Every single day we work with young people to shape everything we do and that is truly unique and ultimately it’s not our park, this is the kids’ park.

“The development of this play zone is just a perfect example of young people getting involved in everything we do.”

Decades-old play equipment has been replaced in the Bloomsbury park with inclusive play equipment, designed with help from children at Coram’s Fields and the Young People’s Forum at Great Ormond Street Hospital – with accessibility and inclusivity at its forefront.

Julian Fulbrook, a former councillor for Holborn and Covent Garden, added: “The essential thing is always the financing. “Its a great spin-off that the community investment programme can be used for community benefit.

“I want you all to make sure in the future that Coram’s Fields is for the children and the neighbourhood.”

The seven-acre charity space raised £69,000 in funding as part of a £200,000 project.

Neighbouring wards of King’s Cross, Holborn and Covent Garden also gave donations from community budgets to make the playzone a reality.