Five playgrounds throughout the borough will receive a significant upgrade as part of the £500,000 Playground Investment Programme (PIP).

The playgrounds are:

• Addington Park
• Ashburton Park
• Grangewood Park
• Northborough Road Playground
• Northwood Road Playground

The upgrades will benefit Croydon children aged 1-14 by providing accessible equipment, as well as new seating with improved visibility for guardians.

The five parks were chosen based on local public health data, levels of deprivation and the standard of current equipment.

Grangewood Park will be the first to benefit from the upgrade and local Friends of Parks communities will be hosting public engagement events to encourage residents to have their say.

Croydon Council will also spend £100,000 on important safety work across a number of other playgrounds to help bring more play facilities into use.

Councillor Muhammad Ali, Cabinet Member for Sustainable Croydon, said: “Children and parents will be delighted to know that we’re making their local playground a priority – because we know how important play is for children’s development and health.

“I would like to encourage families across the borough to take the time to get involved in the engagement process so they can be a part of designing a fun and accessible community space to be enjoyed for years to come.”