An oasis on Brunswick Close Estate

Residents at Brunswick Close estate no longer have to travel far in pursuit of lush greenery and a fun place to play. It’s right on their doorstep thanks to a major facelift to the outside space on their estate.

What was once a deserted and derelict space, used primarily as a dog toilet has been transformed with £570,000 of funding from EC1 New Deal for Communities and Islington Council’s Playbuilder scheme.

It features two playgrounds – one for toddlers and the other for older children, allotments, a vast lawn area, seating and new planting and lighting.

A celebratory barbecue marked the opening of the space on Friday (31 July). Maureen Smith, Chair of the Tenant Management Organisation who has been campaigning for the area outside her home to be improved for more than ten years said: “I am so pleased that it has finally arrived. I have never seen so many children on this estate before – it’s wonderful to see them playing outdoors rather than being cooped up inside. I am over the moon.”

The designs for the new space were shaped by residents living on the estate. At their request, to deter dog fouling, a new gated entrance from St John Street is only accessible by using a key-fob and the impressive new children’s play area includes giant silhouettes of some of the children that live on the estate.

Aleksandra Qosja, aged seven who was at the barbecue said of the new play area: “I really love it. The big swing is my favourite, but I also like the spider’s web.”