£195k investment in tennis courts, £80k gym refurbishment and £20k for new playground equipment among the recent improvements to leisure facilities
Westminster City Council has officially unveiled the refurbished Forest School at Paddington Recreation Ground, a transformative upgrade aimed at providing inner-city children with unique outdoor learning opportunities. The Forest School, which has already welcomed nearly 3,000 children from 11 Westminster schools this year, offers a blend of education and exploration through its information boards, winding paths, and biodiversity-rich environment.
The facility’s popularity necessitated an extension, and the newly expanded Forest Gardens now feature a sustainable classroom constructed from recycled materials sourced from an old cycle storage unit at the Queen Mother Sports Centre. This innovative structure not only reduces the project’s carbon footprint but also provides a dedicated learning space for children, even in adverse weather conditions.
Paddington Recreation Ground is a fantastic, award-winning Westminster facility. I hope these upgrades not only encourage more residents to take advantage of what’s available but also enhance the experience for those who already use their local facilities. I’m so pleased that our new expanded forest school will means that local children will be able to explore learning outdoors.
Cara Sanquest, Cabinet Member for Communities
In addition to the Forest School, Paddington Recreation Ground has undergone several other significant upgrades. These include an £80,000 refurbishment of the gym, featuring new equipment, flooring, and paintwork; a £195,000 refurbishment of the tennis courts, addressing drainage issues and worn surfaces; and improvements to the main pathways to enhance accessibility, repair tree root damage, and reduce flooding and waterlogging.
For residents of the borough interested in delving into the history of their homes or streets, Waltham Forest Archives offers a wealth of resources and information.
The council has also installed new self-closing gates in the playground, added £20,000 worth of new playground equipment and repairs, and introduced additional bike racks to promote greener transportation to the grounds. Paddington Recreation Ground continues to be an award-winning leisure facility, retaining accolades such as the Green Flag Award, the London In Bloom award – Gold, and a Quest Excellent award in the past year.
Cara Sanquest, Cabinet Member for Communities, expressed her enthusiasm for the upgrades: “Paddington Recreation Ground is a fantastic, award-winning Westminster facility. I hope these upgrades not only encourage more residents to take advantage of what’s available but also enhance the experience for those who already use their local facilities. I’m so pleased that our new expanded forest school will enable local children to explore learning outdoors.”
These investments ensure that Westminster City Council can continue to provide world-class facilities for residents and local communities, fostering a vibrant and accessible environment for all.
