Free, Fun, Supervised Adventure Play for ALL Children aged 5-15 years
ABOUT THE PLAYGROUND
Evergreen Adventure Playground is an open access, free, supervised adventure playground situated in just under an acre of land in Hackney East London for children 5-15 years old. A variety of indoor and outdoor activities are offered, and all are inclusive, child-centred and child-led.
All children need to be registered before being left at the playground, which can be done on the day of attending by a parent or carer. There is no waiting list for the mainstream programme and a limited number of spaces for the inclusive play project. For the inclusive project, ask to speak to the Inclusion worker who will further explain the programme and how to gain access. All information is treated as confidential.
Evergreen Play Association is a registered company and charity (Registration No. 1003625), mostly funded through grant applications and donations. Trained full-time play leaders supervise children and organise activities at the playground. A voluntary committee of parents and the local community help to manage the site.
Read more about our Mission, Vision and Values here and our Inclusivity practices here.
FACILITIES AND ACTIVITIES
Evergreen offers a wide range of activities that children can choose from. Our indoor facilities and activities include: a large hall for games with table tennis, a pool table, table football and basketball facilities; an arts and crafts room for activities like pottery, sewing, papier mache, sculpture and painting; a soft play room; a kitchen where cooking classes take place; and toilets with full disabled access. Our outdoor facilities include a covered sports area; large playground structures with swings and slides; an aerial zipwire; tree walkway; a full-size boat; a garden with 2 ponds where wildlife can be discovered; a vegetable patch where children grow fruit and vegetables to use in cooking sessions; and a quiet area to appreciate birds and flowers.
OPENING HOURS
Evergreen Adventure Playground is open during the following times:
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Term Time: Tuesday-Friday 4PM-7PM and Saturday 12-5 PM; closed Sunday and Monday
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School Holidays: Monday-Friday 10AM-5PM; closed Saturday and Sunday
Please note: While every effort will be made to ensure that the playground is open during the times stated above, there will be occasions when the project is closed due to staff illness, holiday, training sessions or to carry out work such as fundraising to secure the playground long term. If this happens a notice of closure will be put on the front gate which will tell you when the playground will be open.
Meals are normally not provided.
OFF-SITE TRIPS
Several off-site trips are organised throughout the year for which a charge may be made. For many children, these trips are their only chance to travel outside of their immediate local area. These trips are highlights that provide children with opportunities to relax, see new sights, gain a greater view of the world and relate to each other through shared experiences. Previous trips have included Gulliver’s Land Theme Park, games and a picnic in a local park and Woburn Safari Park. No child will be taken off the playground for an activity without written consent from their parent/carer.
PLAYGROUND RULES
We want our playground to be a happy, friendly and welcoming safe place for all children to play in. Evergreen Adventure Playground has a basic set of rules which we expect all users of the playground to follow:
1.
LISTEN TO WHAT THE PLAY WORKERS SAY
It is their job to make sure that everyone is treated fairly and that all children have a chance to safely enjoy the activities on offer.
3.
NO NAME CALLING
This includes insults about the colour, race, culture, sex or disabilities of other people using the playground.
5.
NO THROWING STONES OR CRUSHED BARK
7.
NO ALCOHOL
9.
NO WEAPONS
2.
NO FIGHTING
This includes slapping, punching, spitting and pulling hair. If you have a conflict, talk to the play workers.
4.
NO SWEARING
6.
NO SMOKING
8.
NO DRUGS
10.
NO BULLYING
The play workers will warn any child who is breaking any of these rules or doing anything which is dangerous either to themselves or others. If the child continues to break these rules, then they may be banned from using the Playground. A ban may be for a short period (e.g. a morning, an afternoon, one day or more) or a longer period (e.g. a week or more). In serious cases, a child may be banned permanently.
If a child is banned for a week or more, the parent or carer will be sent a letter explaining why a child has been banned and asking them to come down to the playground and talk to the playworkers about the child’s behaviour. A banned child will not be allowed back on the playground unless the parent/carer does so. It is the parent/guardian's responsibility to tell the child where they should go if they are banned (e.g. a friend or neighbour if you are not at home).
COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE
If you are unhappy with the way your child has been treated on the playground or have a complaint about the playground and the service provided, please let the play workers know.
If, after talking to the play workers, you are still unhappy please put your complaint in writing to the Management Committee, marking the envelope ‘Confidential’ and sending it to: The Management Committee, Evergreen Play Association, Adventure Playground, Beehive Close, London E8 3JT.
Your complaint will be dealt with as quickly as possible. You may be asked to meet with the Management Committee to discuss your complaint. The Committee will write to you to let you know what action, if any, will be taken as a result of your complaint.
If you still wish to take the matter further contact: LB Hackney Play Service, Hackney Service Centre, 1 Hillman Street, E8 1DY.
