Parks

All children and young people have the right to play and be included in their local communities.  Our playgrounds provides the best possible play opportunities, attracting children, capturing their imaginations and giving scope to play in new, more exciting and more challenging ways. All of the playgrounds are accessible to children of all abilities and  when we refurbish playgrounds we are adding inclusive equipment that can be enjoyed by children of all abilities.

Each of our playgrounds is  designed to conform to the recommendations BS EN 1176 and 1177 British Standards, in design, manufacture and installation of  equipment and safer surfacing. Each Playground is different and offers playground equipment from a wide range of manufacturers and designs.

We know that children who access play opportunities enjoy a range of significant benefits. Play supports their sense of wellbeing, emotional development, learning and interpersonal skills, health and independence. It is also important in terms of children having fun and enjoying life. Play has been shown to contribute to social development, including social skills such as turn taking  and following rules, empathy, self-regulation, self-confidence, impulse control, and motivation.

Where is your nearest playground?

We have 49 playgrounds (and counting!) across the borough. How many have you been to? Check out the list and visit as many as you can.

List of Playgrounds

Play can help prevent obesity

Research has found that doing 15 minutes a day of moderate exercise (enough to get a child a little out of breath) lowers children’s chances of being obese by almost 50 percent. Play is one of the best ways for children to use up calories, and so increasing the time children spend playing could contribute to reducing obesity.

Who to contact about Playgrounds

To contact us about a playground in a park or green place, please email parks@enablelc.org.

Facilities at your local playground

For specific information about your local playground please click here (link to be added 27 July). Please note that, unless stated, the majority of playgrounds do not have toilet facilities.

Please check parking and parking conditions before you set off. Where possible, we encourage people to walk/cycle/scooter to the park – it is healthier and more fun!

Industry Professionals

Play England

Campaigns for all children and young people to have freedom and space to play throughout childhood. We work with national partners, corporates and other organisations with shared aims to raise awareness about the importance of play.

HSE

Make sure that mistaken health and safety concerns do not create sterile play environments that lack challenge and so prevent children from expanding their learning and stretching their abilities.

The Association of Play Industries (API)

The lead trade association for the UK play sector. Its member companies are the UK’s leading providers of playgrounds, indoor play facilities, play equipment and safety surfacing for schools, local authorities, parish councils, leisure attractions, holiday parks, housing developments and hospitality venues

RPII

Playground safety and equipment inspections include Annual Safety Inspection and Reports, Post-Installation Safety Inspection, Operational and Routine Inspections

Organised use of a grass pitch must be booked in advance. This includes:

• any organised sports game or practice
• organised schools’ use, whether for lessons, competition or play
• social gatherings which require the exclusive use of the space for a temporary period

To make a booking contact idverde sports bookings by visiting idverde’s website or call 020 8767 1830.

Trim trails and outdoor gym equipment are available in several parks and are free for anyone to use. If you wish to offer your services as a fitness trainer in any parks you must apply for a permit to hold your activities.

As a personal trainer:

• You may work with a maximum of two clients at a time
• A valid permit must be produced if challenged
• You may not use any structure, furniture, tree or other plant for exercise activities
• Byelaws apply

As a fitness trainer:

• Working with more than two clients at a time, up to a maximum of thirty people
• all the above conditions for a personal trainer apply, and in addition your permit will state the time/day and location where you may practice.

To apply, contact idverde  phone 020 8767 1830.

There are numerous Friends Groups across the borough, they help shape how parks and open spaces are improved, support public consultations and assist in securing additional funding for projects.

If you would like to know more about a specific Friends Group, what they do, how to get involved please click on a link below. If there is no link for the Friends Group that you are interested in, please email parks@enablelc.org and we will forward your details on to them.

The Wandsworth Common Management Advisory Committee: Annual Public Meeting

Monday 18 June, 7 – 9pm

Naturescope (next to Skylark Café)

Wandsworth Common SW18 3RT

All users of Wandsworth Common are welcome to attend

The Tooting Common Management Advisory Committee: Annual Public Meeting

Monday 25 June, 7 – 9pm

Tooting Bec Lido Pavilion,

Tooting Bec Road

SW16 1RU

More details on commemorative bench sponsorship.

Please note that ‘Magnet Fishing’ is NOT permitted in any of the open water spaces in Wandsworth. Fishing Licences only permit ‘normal’ rod and line fishing. If you witness any one using this technique, please contact the Parks Police on 020 8871 7532 or email parkspolice@wandsworth.gov.uk

More information about fishing

For any commercial event or large organised community or social event, contact Enable’s events team for details on 020 3959 0015.

If your event involves fewer than 50 people you don’t need special permission but you must consider and abide by the following:

• Barbeques are not permitted in any public park in Wandsworth
• You may not put up a gazebo or any other structure in a park; use the natural shade/shelter provided by trees
• Please remove any litter or rubbish that you bring into the park after your event
• Bye-laws apply
• You may wish to check that there is no major event or sports use of the area at the time that you plan to use it

Find out about advertising in parks

Refer to Wandsworth Council’s Bye-laws and Dog Control Orders