Wandsworth Council to charge children to pay in park

[Chantal2011]

Just seen this and really shocked!! Surely the Council can find savings eleswhere?! I know some cuts are necessary - but to penalise children?! That's awful...

www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23949345-you-want-to-go-into-the-playground-that-will-be-pound-250-please.do

meditrina in London at least, one o clock clubs and adventure playgrounds have always been free, though they require staffing. This is, I assume, because councils have historically realised that a lot of London children don't have access to outside space, and their parents can't necessarily afford to pay for soft play and so on.

Have lived in Wandsworth for 11 years and have three year old. I find the provision of libraries, one o'clock clubs, stay and plays, playgrounds and general open spaces to be exceptional and way beyond what families in other boroughs seem to have access to. The whole of the rest of Battersea Park is still available for ball games, bike riding, exploring and adventure not to mention all kinds of free entertainment and fairs. The adventure park is one small area of the overall park and is still free 5 days a week.

It says that half the families that use it at the weekends are from outside the borough. So they don't contribute via their council tax.

It seems fair to try to prioritise the local families. A scheme where local families get a membership card upon proof of address, but those from outside pay the £2.50 would be fairer.

We will have to pay to breathe soon.