Social housing residents in East London are crowdfunding to replace an ageing climbing fort on their estate after their penny-pinching council said it would remove the play equipment rather than repairing it.
Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), parents from Hackney's Linzell Estate shared their sadness that the apparatus' poor condition meant the local authority had decided to remove it rather than fix it, in order to save the roughly £2,400 difference between removing it and replacing it.
So residents are raising the cash needed to replace it themselves through a GoFundMe page, with one mum threatening to handcuff herself to the frame if they try to take it away without a replacement.
"It would feel pretty bleak here without the frame," said Ranaie Aguilar, whose two sons "love" coming to the space.
Another parent, Shavay, said: "When it comes to social housing and little parks like these, the council is quick to remove equipment but they don't want to pay for the upkeep."
The LDRS asked the Town Hall to confirm the comparative costs of removing versus maintaining the structure, to which council said taking the equipment away would cost £719.16 compared to the £3,174.20 needed to replace it - a net saving of £2,455.04 - but it did not offer its quote for repairs.
Mum Nina Byrne, who grew up on the estate, praised the "multi-educational" playset she used to clamber on as a young girl, now used daily by her 18-month-old daughter. "It's such an imaginative space for role play for Marni and the other kids.
"It's been an ice-cream shop, castle, princess palace, pirate ship and den. She's understanding danger and excitement."
Ms Byrne told the LDRS the Tenants and Residents Association (TRA) had alerted the council about the need to fix the warped woodwork, and it was confirmed the repairs had been given a job number. The council later told the residents it had received a quote for repairs and would "imminently" dispose of the piece instead of fixing it, she said.
"They're not seeing the big picture - the structure itself is absolutely fine. All it needed was a yearly bit of paint to keep the timber waterproof," Ms Byrne said, arguing that its removal from the playground would "leave a large gap".
She added that she was told by a council employee that removal would cost the same as repairing the timber.
A Town Hall spokesperson said it had made the "difficult decision to prioritise the significant funding needed to keep the play equipment at Linzell Court in use for our vital work to maintain and improve our homes".
MyLondon is calling on Hackney Council to fund the replacement of the equipment, through our Don't Cut the Heart Out of London campaign, aimed at saving community venues and facilities from closure.
"I think if this structure gets covered in concrete it just contradicts Hackney's 'child-friendly' approach, especially just before the summer holidays," Ms Byrne said. "Taking away essential apparatus from deprived areas in Hackney makes no sense."
Her mother Jean Cooper, who also lives next to the playground on Lyneham Walk and was previously TRA chair, described the move as "madness".
The Hackney Council spokesperson said: "The council is proud of the play areas and ball courts on its estates, alongside the 25 council-owned parks and green spaces across the borough. We continue to manage, maintain and invest in play facilities across Hackney, with 15 new and upgraded playgrounds in the last five years."
They added that there were alternative playgrounds close by at Mabley Green, Daubeney Fields and the Herbert Butler Estate, though the parents at Linzell stressed that young children could not go to nearby spaces on their own.
Three other estate playgrounds have been temporarily closed this year as the council has waited for quotes on either removing, replacing or repairing damaged equipment, the local authority confirmed. All will be reopened, they said, while a further two playgrounds due to have equipment removed for safety issues were still open and would remain so.
In 2022, the council published its 'child-friendly' strategy based on Hackney Mayor Caroline Woodley's manifesto pledge to ensure new developments and existing places "considered the needs and requirements of children and young people at every stage of planning and design".
Meanwhile, the group of parents are now crowdfunding £3,500 to replace the Linzell structure to cover the council's quoted costs and allow for a slight rise in costs.
"I won't let them take it away, I'll handcuff myself to the frame if I have to, and I know others will," Ms Cooper said.
You can done to the crowdfunder here.
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