Makeover breathes new life into Islington park

A group of nursery school toddlers gleefully put a range of play equipment to the test this week in a small park given a new lease of life by Islington Council.

A £140,000 investment has seen Compton Park, in Bunhill ward, overhauled with new play equipment, improved footpaths, more grassed areas and an entirely new entrance.

The park was officially reopened on Tuesday by the Deputy Mayor of Islington, Cllr Una O’Halloran, and the executive member for environment and transport, Cllr Claudia Webbe.

They were joined by a group of two and three-year-olds from nearby Royal Mail Childsplay nursery, who explored the playground and helped plant spring bulbs in the flower beds.

The range of new play equipment includes two new toddlers’ slides, a bouncing board and climbing board, two sets of climbing bars, a rope net, some balancing shapes, a small swing and a play tunnel.

The new entrance opens up the park from Cyrus Street, encouraging more residents to enjoy the park and use it as a walking route.

It is hoped that opening up access to the park and reducing the amount of larger shrubs will make it a more pleasant place to spend time and reduce anti-social behaviour.

Cllr Webbe said: “It was lovely to see the children enjoying the new play equipment and planting some spring bulbs with them and our parks staff. For years to come, this park will allow children to make the best, healthiest start in life, in an appealing and family-friendly setting.

“Our award-winning parks are such vital resources for the whole community, particularly in the south of the borough where green space is limited, and the improvements in Compton Park mean it now joins ranks among the best in Islington.”