Wandsworth council to charge children to use playground...

[Fuschia]

http://www.labourlist.org/tory-council-to-charge-children-to-play

[EDmummy]

I was truly horrified by this decision but perhaps my views are more for the lounge!

[Fuschia]

Thin end of the wedge I fear :-(

[Otta]

Yeah, this was on the radio this morning. Bloody Tory council! They're trying to say that half of the visitors to the playground are from neighbouring boroughs. In which case, if that is their justification, they should at least allow families from within Wandsworth, who pay for the bloody payground through their council tax, to enter for free, and charge outsiders.

Don't get me wrong, I don't think anyone should be charged for using a public playground, but I think it's especially poor form for those who pay for council services in their area.

[Fuschia]

What happened to trying to encourage children to be active?

[Fuschia]

And is it really worth them employing somebody to collect money?

[sb]

.

[taper]

If you know the adventure playground in question and it's not quite as set out here. The playground in the photo is I think the usual bog standard playground you typically get in London parks. What they're planning to charge for (and at weekends only) is the advebnture playground which abuts the playground in the picture. It is an extraordinary place, with lots of playworker support, and quite unlike anything I've seen in a London park.

Not saying this is a good thing at all. But just for a bit of balance (the Mail span it similarly)...

[womanofdulwich]

is the one on dog kennel hill free? if so they should charge non - southwark residents to use it ;)

[taper]

It's never open!

[oldnewromantic]

Sounds similar to the one in Peckham Park. Again, not a big standard playground and does have support workers there. Where people come from is completely irrelevant. However, much as I disagree with charging for play areas, I would rather pay a discretionary donation than see it closed. Much as I do for museums like The Horniman.