Outdoor fun for Gambier House

Residents at Gambier House EC1 are enjoying a new £350,000 outdoor space that offers a gardening club and encourages outdoor play.

The outside area attached to the 19-storey tower block on Lever Street has been completely redeveloped by Homes for Islington in partnership with EC1 New Deal for Communities and Islington Council’s Playbuilder scheme.

Where children and older residents previously had no access to outdoor space on their doorstep, they are now able to make use of a new play area for older children with climbing nets, a playful water feature near the entrance to the estate, new seating areas and a transformed garden with a range of shrubbery and newly planted trees.

A celebration event held at the estate on Sunday 5 April included an Easter Egg hunt, BBQ, face painting for children and the official switching on of a water feature and decorative lights.

David Rose, Chair of the Tenant Management Organisation (TMO) said:

“This transformation has brought new life to Gambier House. Now the garden truly feels like it’s our own – a peaceful yet playful retreat in which we can all take great pride.”

The attractive new outdoor environment, designed in consultation with residents has something for all age groups to enjoy. Aside from newly planted areas where residents can sit and chat, the council’s Play Rangers will also be paying weekly visits to the local area. They’ll bring with them kits of games, toys and activity ideas aimed at encouraging children - aged between eight and 13 - to spend time socialising together outdoors.

Islington Council’s Executive Member for Children and Young People, Paula Belford said:

“This fantastic new outdoor space is the first to be opened in Islington’s Playbuilder project. It’s a real transformation and is now a great place to come and socialise and spend time outdoors being active. On estates like this where children have no access to gardens, it’s important that the council are playing their part to provide safe, open spaces where young people can play outside.”

A small number of allotment spaces have also been developed on the site, giving residents the chance to cultivate their own piece of land. A community gardener from the St Luke’s Centre will work with residents to establish a gardening club that will help to maintain the new planting at the site.

Funding breakdown:

The new outdoor space at Gambier House was developed with funding from EC1 New Deal for Communities (£300,000) and Islington Council (£53,000).

Funding from Islington Council is broken down as follows:
£25,000 from Playbuilder Fund*
£28,000 Section 106

* Islington was selected by the Government in 2008 as one of the first local authorities to receive £1.173 million of Playbuilder money over three years through the Department for Children Schools and Families. The money will be used to build new or refurbish existing playgrounds and play areas across the borough.