From Sandpit to Zipwire – Priory Park Playground Gets a Boost

We’re thrilled to share that, after months of planning, consultation and hard work, Priory Park playground is getting a major upgrade – and it’s happening this summer!

Following a competitive tender, we’re in the final stages of awarding the contract to the company whose designs were not only technically strong but a big hit with pupils at St Mary’s and Rokesly, who helped choose the winning submission during two brilliant engagement sessions.

This is a £100,000+ investment into our local park, and we’re so pleased it reflects the ideas, creativity and priorities of the local community – especially the children who use the playground every day.

🛝 What’s changing?

The new design strikes a balance between fun, inclusivity, and practicality. Here’s what’s coming:

For older children:

• A new junior play unit with monkey bars and climbing features

• A brand new zipwire (yes, it’s coming back!)

• An obstacle course for those with plenty of energy to burn

For younger children:

• A new inclusive play unit with ramp and wide slide

• Inclusive springers, seesaw, and play panels

For everyone:

• The existing ‘sputnik’ roundabout and swings are staying

• The roundabout will be relocated to help tackle flooding issues

• The beloved sandpit is staying – with some improvements, new signage, and brushes to help keep it clean

• A new in-ground trampoline

• Two new picnic benches to replace the worn-out ones

• Tree planting and wildflowers added in Autumn with the community – bringing more shade and biodiversity to the space

📅 Key Dates

We’re working to a tight schedule – because we know how important it is that the playground is ready for the summer holidays:

• 👋 Thursday 22 May, 13:30–16:00: Come along to the playground to view the final designs and help choose colours and finishing touches! Our Project Officer will be there to chat and take on feedback.

• 🌳 Thursday 5 June, 14:30–16:30: Join us again to help shape plans for new trees and planting areas, alongside our Urban Forest Officer.

• 🎨 School design competition: We’re inviting local pupils to design a play panel that will feature in one of the new play units – we can’t wait to see what they come up with.

• 🚧 Playground closure: We’re aiming to close the playground on 23 June and reopen it with a bang w/c 21 July. That’s just four weeks of work (weather permitting) – and we’re keeping the pressure on to make sure everything stays on track.

💬 Have Your Say

We know not everyone follows us online, so we’ll also be:

• Updating Commonplace with the latest info: https://prioryparkplay.commonplace.is

• Contacting the Friends of Priory Park and local schools

• Putting up posters in the park so everyone is in the loop

🙌 Thank You

This has been a genuinely collaborative project – shaped by hundreds of local residents, young people and school staff. As councillors, we’re really proud to be delivering long-overdue improvements that reflect the community’s voice.

We’ll keep pushing to make sure the work is completed on time and to a high standard – and we can’t wait to celebrate with you all this summer when the new playground opens!

See you in the park,

Adam, Dana and Elin

Labour Councillors for Hornsey Ward