About this project

Islington Council's Neighbourhood Projects team, in response to residents' request and supported by Highbury ward councillors, has been working to bring the garden at Highbury Grove Estate back into use. Our aim is to create a space that benefits residents, strengthens community connections, and supports healthier, more active lifestyles.

So far, works have included a clean-up of the space, the creation of a gardening area, installation of sheds for storage, and running gardening workshops for children and adults.

Residents have given further feedback that children on the estate should be able to play in the area. We have looked at potential play equipment that can be added to the garden and are now looking for residents' views on how to continue.

How you can get involved

If you are a resident at Highbury Grove, please share your ideas by completing the survey on this page. We want to make sure that any changes we make reflect your priorities and needs.

Based on our conversations with residents so far, we have developed initial designs for residents to consider. Due to the available budget and the small space, we cannot install everything, which is why knowing your priorities is important to us. Options include:

• Turning the corner decking into an inclusive play den
• Climbing bars
• Timber play structures
• An in‑ground trampoline

Timber play structureClimbing bars In-ground trampoline

What is an inclusive play den?

An inclusive play den is a space aimed at children with SEND. We would look to create a covered area to protect from the sun and include items like a blackboard for drawing and sensory play panels. Below is a computer-generated image of what a play den could look like.

What we will do

Once the survey is complete we will review all responses and incorporate them into the final design proposal. We will balance the priorities that residents share via the survey with the available funding. We will then share the final design, along with the next steps for the project.