I am not surprised that the playground in Ravenscourt Park is in a dire state, and that others in Hammersmith are similarly run down. I'm sorry, but I think that you are going to have to act yourself. Do some fund-raising. Would local business (e.g. estate agents) be willing to give you small amounts of money (a few £100s) to restore them in exchange for advertising? Or get together with other parents and DIY?  It is generally not difficult, but often time-consuming and requires some specialist tools (hire from "Library of Things") and materials such as special paints. I am thinking of the example of Karen Liebreich and her "Abundance" project where she single-handedly motivated local gardeners to fund-raise, plant and look after small and abandoned Council-owned gardens in Chiswick. At the last Full Council Meeting on Wednesday Hammersmith Council was discussing how to raise loans as efficiently as possible. It is as cash-strapped as all Councils, but not near bankruptcy. These are very hard times for public bodies.

Forum Home