Thamesmead, in South East London, is seeing a dramatic transformation through significant new development and investment. West Thamesmead in particular experiences higher levels of deprivation and child obesity than elsewhere in the UK and has poor provision of formal play.

As a result of funding from London Marathon Charitable Trust, the Royal Borough of Greenwich, and Peabody’s own investment, Peabody was able to commission LUC to create a new play space in Gallions Park, Thamesmead.

Alongside this, Peabody commissioned us to undertake a health impacts study, in order to better understand the value added by capital improvements to their play facilities and to develop the evidence base for this.

Our design features bespoke timber play pieces and invites movement for all ages and abilities, recognising the UK’s struggle with health inequality.

Our design ethos is grounded in working with the natural fabric of the site. By using the existing available space and natural features of the site, the design interventions had a minimal impact on the surrounding environment. Different character areas deliver a range of inclusive, informal, and challenging play experiences. ‘Birch Grove’ features a narrow, raised timber walkway through existing meadow grass and birch trees. It incorporates balancing play equipment, a hammock swing, ‘Sky Seats’ and willow ‘portholes’ framed high up within tree canopies.

We found that Gallions Park boosts measurable positive health and wellbeing factors, including the reduction of social isolation, lowering stress, facilitating exercise and increasing contact with nature.

Peabody continues to monitor and evaluate this play space, building on the evidence from our impact assessment and deepening the understanding of how free access to play facilities can impact positively on the health and wellbeing of all residents.