Jubilee Way Playscape

In June 2008, Toyota GB (TGB) hosted the 4th European Retailer Meeting (ERM) and its 6,300 attendees in London. Traditionally the host company presents delegates with a small gift as a memento of the occasion. However, for this meeting the ERM team suggested that the gift budget should be put towards a community project that would remain after the ERM.

Together with Groundwork UK, the ERM organisers selected a project in Tolworth, a densely populated suburb that is 10 km (6 miles) from TGB’s offices and 20 km (13 miles) southwest of central London. The goal was to turn a disused piece of land into a new adventure playground for local children aged from 8 to 13. Spaces where children can actively play are in short supply in inner city areas of the United Kingdom.

Where possible, the materials used in the construction of the park came from sustainable sources. Local children helped to develop the plan for the park by visiting other play spaces for inspiration and taking part in design workshops. They also helped to select the equipment that would be installed in the park. Toyota’s contribution was utilised to design and construct the skate bowl which was developed by renowned skate park designers, Wheelscape.

The result is the Jubilee Way Playscape which was officially opened in October 2008. The Playscape includes a skate bowl, swings, climbing equipment, and a flying fox (zip wire), providing children with an active, yet safe environment for them to play.