New plans revealed to renew Petersham Playground in Richmond Park

The Royal Parks charity has revealed designs for a renewal of the popular Petersham Playground in Richmond Park. 

The charity, which manages London’s eight Royal Parks, is set to revive and improve the playground by installing new equipment, incorporating more accessible opportunities for play, and improving provision for children with additional needs.

The playground has been welcoming children for decades. But following a previous restoration more than 20 years ago, some of the features are now worn and in need of renewal.

The charity has gathered the views and feedback from local playground users and school children, in order to ensure that the new designs create a more welcoming, inclusive play area for all children and their carers.

The new playground will focus on improving the connection children have with the natural environment, by incorporating ecological features such as bird boxes and bug hotels and by using natural materials for the equipment.

Better paths, new seating and new planting schemes based on species found in the park, including hedging, trees, shrubs and grasses, will create a more relaxing natural location for play. The new designs will also incorporate increased shaded areas within the playground.

Paul Richards, Richmond Park’s manager said: 

“After decades of play enjoyed by thousands and thousands of children, some of the current play features have become worn - and we wanted to make the site much more accessible.

“We’ve worked with the local community to find out what’s important to them, and we have included their views in the development of new designs for a refreshed and improved playground.

“Please bear with us while we deliver this exciting project. We look forward to welcoming back thousands of children next spring, to enjoy social, physical and creative free play within the wonderful natural backdrop of Richmond Park - and to create memories to last a lifetime.”

The playground will close in January 2025 to deliver the works and will reopen in spring 2025.