Call To Bring Back the Bounce To Southfield Park
Children's trampoline has been left unrepaired for nearly a year
The trampoline pit in Southfield Recreation Ground
August 14, 2023
Calls are being made for Ealing Council to take action of damaged equipment at a children’s playground on the border of Chiswick and Acton.
For over a year now small children have been unable to jump on the trampoline in Southfield Recreation Ground, due to lack of repairs.
The situation was discovered and reported in August 2022 to Ealing Council parks department for repair. However, on the annual anniversary of reporting the broken equipment, no repair has been made. One local resident was concerned that a “a small child’s foot could easily go through” the broken trampoline injuring a child.
The trampoline is a piece of equipment which local children used to use and enjoy. It encouraged activity, especially for those with no access to outside space at home.
Southfield Recreation Ground is one of four ancient fields the area which the council bought in 1908, for use by local people of and is an important space for access to nature with a wildflower meadow as well as a playground for activity.
Liberal Democrat Councillor Gary Malcolm, Leader of the Opposition and Southfield Councillor said: “The Labour administration is depriving local children in Acton and Chiswick of outdoor activity at a time when household budgets are constrained and access to community facilities such as playgrounds are essential to the health of our young communities. Liberal Democrats believe that faulty equipment should be fixed within a matter of weeks not years!”
Another resident who was saddened that the issue had not been addressed and said: ”The small children all love it!”
A council spokesperson said, “The trampoline at Southfield Recreation ground needed to be removed for safety reasons, which we know is a real disappointment for children and their families. We have worked hard to secure additional funding to invest into our playgrounds, which was confirmed earlier in the summer. That means that we are hoping to have the trampoline net replaced and other upgrade works started in the next few months.”
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