Faraday Gardens Playground Improvements

Update Following Design Consultation

Thank you to everyone who took part in the design consultation. A total of 62 people completed the survey, which is greatly appreciated. The feedback gathered will be carefully reviewed and will help to inform the next stage of the project.

We really value all feedback, while it may not be possible to implement every suggestion, your feedback will help shape the playground.

Common Themes from the Consultation

Below is a recap of some of the common themes raised during the design consultation. This is not a full summary of all feedback received. All comments and suggestions will be reviewed and taken into consideration as the project progresses.

1. Design Rating

The majority of respondents rated the design positively, with 95.1% (59 respondents) giving it a high rating of 3,4 or 5.

• 0% (0 respondents) rated the design as 1
• 4.8% (3 respondents) rated the design as 2
• 16.1% (10 respondents) rated the design as 3
• 37.1% (23 respondents) rated the design as 4
• 41.9% (26 respondents) rated the design as 5

2. What People Liked About the Design

Responses highlighted strong support for the range of play opportunities, the overall design, its suitability for different age groups and the safe layout.

• The variety of equipment – 71.-% (44 selections)
• The bright and attractive design – 38.7% (24 selections)
• Suitability for different ages – 46.8% (29 selections)
• Positive views on the design and equipment choices - Several respondents commented positively on the overall design and the range of equipment proposed (41.9%, 18 mentions)

3. Concerns Raised About the Design

A number of concerns were raised during the consultation. Below is a summary of the most common issues raised and responses to these concerns.

• Several comments were received regarding the layout and selection of play equipment, including requests for additional standard swings, trampolines, zipwires and creative play features (37.2%, 16 mentions) - All comments have been taken into consideration, an additional standard swing will be added into the new design and some creative play features. The inclusion of a zipline and trampoline is not possible and reasons can be seen below.
• The importance of including more shaded areas within the play space was highlighted (23.3%, 10 mentions) - Some additional trees will be planted around the playground where possible to ensure that there are areas of shade in years to come.
• Some comments suggested that the proposed design appears crowded or contains too many features (13.6%, 3 mentions) - The design has various access routes and where possible we will look into making the design look less busy.

Out of scope requests

The following suggestions cannot be taken forward as part of the current project:

• Water fountains and a splash area: Some respondents suggested installing water fountains and a splash area. Unfortunately, this cannot be taken forward because of the additional maintenance and running costs involved.
• Zipline: Some respondents requested a zipline. However, a zipline requires at least three metres of clear space around it for safe installation. Due to the limited space available on site, this is not possible.
• In-ground trampoline: Some respondents would like an in-ground trampoline. As the site is at risk of flooding, it would not be suitable to install a trampoline. However, one of the proposed play features, the netted dome, can be used for bouncing and climbing activities.
• Retaining the existing trim trail equipment: Some respondent suggested incorporating the existing trim trail equipment into the new design. As this equipment takes up a significant amount of space, it has been removed to allow for the new play equipment. However, balancing equipment will be included in the updated design.

What’s Next

We will use the information gathered to adjust the design where possible. The updated final design will be published on the Consultation Hub. A Lawful Development Certificate may be required. Once we have permission to go ahead with the design, the council will work with the chosen contractor to build it, and then construction will follow.

We hope to have a final design and start building by the end of 2026 or the start of 2027.

If you would like to be kept updated about the project, please contact leisureprojects@southwark.gov.uk to join the project mailing list.