A petition signed by more than 130 residents is calling on Brent Council to refurbish the park
Residents are urging the council to commit funds to improve a North London park that “attracts vandalism, broken glass, drinking and drug use”.
Locals want the children’s playground at Rainbow Park in Cricklewood to be refurbished into a “safe, welcoming, all-year space”.
Residents’ campaign group, Friends of Rainbow Park (FoRP), has submitted a petition calling on Brent Council to add Rainbow Park to its next round of parks investment. They want the council-owned land to be made safer for visitors, including new playground equipment for children.
The petition, which has already been signed by more than 130 residents, described the current play equipment as “old and worn”, with much of the space being overgrown woodland that children cannot use. Rainbow Park is also said to be unusable in the winter due to a lack of lighting or proper footpaths, making it “a summer-only park”.
FoRP believe the park should be “the beating heart” of the neighbourhood but are asking Brent Council to do something about the fact that it has become “overgrown, worn out and dark”. As well as a need to replace old equipment in the playground, the group claims the safety surfacing is also “past its useful life” and roughly 40 per cent of the site is “overgrown woodland”.
The petition, which can be signed on the council website, points to a lack of lighting, shelter or an all-weather path, which makes the park “unusable in winter and on wet days”. Concerns have also been raised about vandalism, drinking and drug use, which leaves “broken glass and litter where children play each morning”, and makes it unsafe to use after dark.
FoRP state: “The woodland is roughly 40 per cent of the park, but only bigger kids can push their way in. Seating is scarce, and a large empty tarmac circle sits unused in the middle of it all. […] No one manages the greenery, so it creeps further every season. The overgrowth collects litter, hides the park from view – and foxes have moved in where children should be playing.
“[There is] no lighting, no shelter, and no proper paths [so] from October to March – and on every rainy day in between – the park might as well not exist for local families.”
Despite this, FoRP believes the park is “worth saving” and wants to see funds invested to make the necessary safety improvements – beginning with installing a secure boundary wall, proper gates, lighting and CCTV, and followed by renewed play facilities “for children of all ages and abilities”.
The petition adds: “Much of this matches work Brent already funds in parks across the borough – we are asking for Rainbow Park’s turn.”
FoRP member, Thyago Goes, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “In a fast-paced world where so many of us spend our days in small flats and behind desks, Rainbow Park gives our kids a safe place to run around, connect with nature and allows parents to meet.
“This initiative was driven by a group of passionate local residents. Our goal is simple: listen to the community, improve this fantastic resource, and upgrade the space so families can enjoy it comfortably in every season.”
A Brent Council spokesperson said: “We are aware of the petition regarding Rainbow Park playground. The areas referenced as being overgrown are understood to be the raised planting beds and shrub areas within the park. These areas are maintained during the winter months as part of the council’s ongoing parks maintenance programme.
“The park is locked daily and, while the council takes concerns about antisocial behaviour seriously, no reports of antisocial behaviour at this location have been received for over a year. Any incidents of antisocial behaviour in parks should be reported to the council or, where appropriate, to the Metropolitan Police via 101, or 999 in an emergency.
“We will continue to work to identify sources of funding and review investment opportunities for parks and play facilities across the borough.”
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