FoGG

Denise here again, as I have stated in previous messages, the work that has been undertaken so far has been done by the Parks maintenance team. We hope to have the new climbing equipment for the under 5's in during August and then our focus will be on the older children. We are however restricted by the bylaws which state that the users of the playground should be under 14. I have already applied for ?25k for phase 2 which will focus on setup of a proper football/basketball area within the playground roughly where it has always been played. I will be presenting plans to the Nunhead and Peckham Rye community council on the 1st July. meeting starts at 7pm, St Mary Magdelene Primary School if any locals would like to attend and support. We also plan to show the phase one plans on the green in the next few weeks so that parents and kids can have a view. If you are on the FoGG mailing list you will have an invite and I will put notices up. Thanks Denise

I have sat down to respond to the ongoing discussion on the placement of said picnic benches, but I am afraid that I am overwhelmed by the utter negativity of all the messages. At no point has anyone acknowledged that the playground has been receiving much overdue attention, maintenance and an injection of new equipment. The benches will be moved and the issue of where it is best to play a football game in the confines of the playground will be addressed. I do not appreciate the inference that 'unless you have a school age boy (or girl)who plays football you would not understand the upset'. I am in the playground most days and many of the children from St John's, Goose Green Primary and Puddleducks know me as I have visited them to get their input on the plans. I come along with my 2 children at varying times of the day and football is actually rarely played except at the end of the school day. The benches are DDA compliant so that they can be used by children and/or parents in Wheelchairs or for mothers who have buggies. I understand that you cannot ever please everyone, but a thankyou every now and then goes a long way. Denise

Hello All My name is Denise Fulgoni and I am the secretary for Friends of Goose Green (local community group) and a local Mum of 2 (aged 5 & 2). I have been working hard over the last year to secure funding to improve the playground. We now have funds to install/update a section of the playground so that smaller children have correct equipment to play safely and new equipment will be in place in August. Along with this Jim Broadrib of Southwark Parks Maintenance and his small team have re-painted swings, re tarmaced the entrance, removed graffiti, etc... He has also supplied the 2 new picnic benches, but I agree they have been put in the wrong place. Jim and I have spoken and are planning to move the bench which is infront of the Geese Mosaic to the other side of the raised bed so that football can resume. The other bench will stay near the double gates though as we hope this may curtail balls being kicked over the wall and crossing the footpath. We are currently bidding for more funds so that a phase 2 can start which will address the issue of football and activities for the older children. I hope this clarifies the issue and if you have any further concerns please do not hesitate to contact the Friends. Cheers Denise