Campaign launched to transform ‘shell of park’

Parents form group and raise cash to upgrade neglected playground

A group of parents have launched a campaign to revamp a neglected playground in Kennington.

Their plans for Rylands Road park include a multi-use games area, enclosed football area, outdoor gym and a shelter for elderly community members to play board games.

Over the years, the children’s play area has fallen into a state of disrepair, and equipment has been removed for safety reasons.

Samantha Beeny, who set up the community group with Lucy Ellis and Gemma Starley, says just a “shell of a park remains”.

“The park used to be amazing but overtime it has fallen into a state of disrepair,” the mum-oftwo said.

“When you have children you just want to get out the house, but there are no good parks in Kennington to visit.

“I thought to myself ‘I’m not going to drive somewhere else, I’m going to do something about this’.

“I started speaking to the council about it in February. We didn’t think we would have to go down the fundraising route but we have.

“We have now set up a community group, formed a committee and have started to fundraise and bring the community together.”

So far, the trio have organised two fundraising events, which has helped raise £2,000 of the £10,000 fundraising target.

Monthly litter picks have also been organised in a effort to keep the park clean.

And with the launch of ‘Rylands Rocks’, the team have found a temporary resolution to keep children in the area entertained.

Ms Beeny, 27, who lives in Park Road, added: “It involves painting rocks and hiding them around the park. All the local children love finding them.

“It’s nice to see children running around and having fun at the park again.

“Now we are a lot bigger, we can actually hold big events to bring people together and raise the money that we need.”

On Sunday (October 27), a Halloween party will be held at Grosvenor Hall in Kennington from 1pm to 4pm to raise funds for the project.

An Ashford Borough Council spokeswoman said the authority is “working on plans to improve play facilities at Rylands Road”.

She said: “We appreciate the work being done by the group in terms of fundraising, and will work with them on any future plans for the park.”

■ Visit www.gofundme.com and search Rylands Road Park Renovation to donate.

Parents say a ‘shell of a park remains’ in Rylands Road