Designs Breathe New Life Into Ravenscourt Park

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Including play equipment tailored specifically for disabled children

Designs that will breathe fresh life into Ravenscourt Park have been unveiled by Hammersmith and Fulham Council.

The new plans include play equipment tailored specifically for disabled children, such as a climbing forest with a low net, a wide slide and a cradle-nest swing.

Over £1m has been earmarked by LBH&F to spend on natural and adventurous play equipment over the next two years creating natural features such as grassy mounds, sand and climbing boulders to give children more opportunities to play freely and creatively.

Cllr Paul Bristow said, "Fun and exciting opportunities to play are at the heart of a happy, healthy and enjoyable childhood so the council is delighted to unveil these design plans."

Work will begin in March and the play areas are expected to be ready for use in time for the summer.

Ravenscourt Park stems from medieval times, when the lake in the centre of the park, which is fed by Stamford Brook, was part of the moat that surrounded Paddenswick (or Palingswick) Manor. But it was only in 1888 that the 32 acre site was officially opened as public parkland.

King Edward III's mistress Alice Perrers lived in the manor during the 14th century. The manor house was rebuilt in 1650 and in 1747 it was sold to Thomas Corbett who named it Ravenscourt, probably derived from the raven in his coat of arms, which was itself a pun on his name as corbeau is French for raven.

In 1812 the Ravenscourt House and estate were bought by its final private owner, George Scott, a builder and philanthropist who developed nearby St Peter’s Square. Scott employed leading landscaper Humphry Repton to lay out the gardens of the estate, and encouraged the building of houses along its edges. According to a park plan from 1830, there were 78 houses within the park, and by 1845 this number had risen to 330.

Today's facilities include four play areas, a cafe, tennis courts, a football pitch, basketball courts and a bowling green.

January 26, 2010