Camden Council making parks and green spaces more accessible for all
Camden Council is making changes to ensure its parks and green spaces are more accessible - integrating these vital improvements into its £2.4m investment in the borough’s parks. This is part of the new Green Space Investment Programme for 2026-2030, where all new projects follow accessible design standards.
In Camden, 39% of our residents have no access to a shared or private garden. So we know how it important it is to make sure people have welcoming, green parks and gardens in their neighbourhoods—and that they can access them easily.
One of our key priorities is to promote inclusivity and accessibility. To achieve this, all our projects follow accessible design standards, which address the physical and non-physical barriers to their use.
In practice this means a greater range of play equipment to better meet the needs of all our residents. This is alongside continuing to improve signage, seating and path networks to maximise the number of residents and visitors who can fully access and enjoy our green spaces, including those mobility issues and families with prams and pushchairs.
Over the last five years, the council’s now-complete Green Space Investment Programme delivered over £12m of capital investment into Camden green spaces, including accessibility changes during that period. To achieve this, the council identified which parks needed the most investment and then matched available funding, including Section 106 secured by the council from local construction development, Local Community Infrastructure Levy, and other sources.
Our new Green Space Investment Programme continues our successful approach of identifying areas in Camden most at need and then matching funding sources to deliver the best possible outcomes for our communities.
Councillor Harrison continued:
“Through the Green Space Investment Programme, we have already delivered a wide range of projects that have directly addressed inclusivity and accessibility. These include step-free access to St Pancras Gardens, Waterlow Park and Harben Estate Multi Use Games Area; landscape improvements and a new accessible toilet at Talacre Town Green; and sensory and accessible play equipment at Hilgrove Estate and Antrim Gardens.
“Our extensive Green Space Survey, which we held last year, has helped us to better understand some of the barriers that can hinder access to our green spaces and the benefits they offer. These insights are guiding our planned improvements as an integral part of our investment programme, hand in hand with engaging with residents on specifically on each individual project.”
Forthcoming accessibility improvements to our green spaces include:
- Kilburn Grange play area – Accessible play equipment to be added to the junior playground, as well as sensory planting
- Cantelowes Gardens – Accessible play equipment to be added and refurbishing the playground
- Maygrove Peace Park – Accessible outdoor gym equipment to be installed and handrail fitted to steps
- Russell Nurseries – Improved access and handrails fitted
- Primrose Gardens – Introducing step-free access into the park with improved surfacing in the central area
For more information on parks and green spaces in Camden visit: Parks and green spaces - Camden Council