As a local resident, I’m a regular user of Ruskin Park. I run regularly through the park and like all residents, enjoy the sunshine in it (especially recently)! I wanted to take the time to update you on some of the continued investment from Lambeth Labour in our local park.
Now, as your local Labour Candidate for Herne Hill and Loughborough Junction, I want to ensure the Labour council continues to invest in our community and protect our green spaces. I value them immensely and want our neighbours to be proud of our local area.
I am pleased that a new Community Sauna is opening this month in Ruskin Park. The group installing the sauna has already established a new water supply allowing us to reconnect a redundant drinking fountain and top-up the main pond in times of drought, with more projects to come.
Lambeth Council has recently invested nearly £1 million of capital in our park, which includes:
- Modernisation of the paddling pool
- Refurbished toilets, including the re-opening of the disabled toilet
- Improved refreshment kiosk, surrounding landscaping and seating area
- A new and expanded play area
- Resurfaced basketball court, and a big resurfacing programme for internal paths.
Lambeth Council is also looking at bringing the historical coach house back into community use. This includes the installation of an air source heat pump and restoring the building. The council has already committed £500,000, and I will personally campaign for more. The aim is to create a welcoming, sustainable space in partnership with a local business or organisation, alongside lighting improvements across the park.
In 2022, our Labour-led council pledged to tackle the climate crisis and work with our community groups to do so. Lambeth was the first London borough to declare a climate emergency and continues to lead the way in this area. In recent years, we have planted nearly 30 new trees in the park, working with Friends of Ruskin Park to create an orchard.
This is part of Lambeth Labour’s pledge to plant 5,000 trees across the borough by 2026, an ambition that is on target to be met.
If you have any questions or if I can be of any assistance, my email is below. I will also be out and about talking to people in our community, so if you do spot me in the park or around our community, please come and say hello.