Harrow Council has announced plans for substantial improvements to Roxbourne Park in Pinner, North London, aiming to make it “safer and more accessible” for residents. The proposals include relocating and upgrading the children’s playground and resurfacing footpaths that show “signs of wear and deterioration.” Residents are now being asked to share their views on the planned changes.
Playground Relocation and Upgrades
The children’s playground, one of the most popular facilities in the park, would be relocated further into the park and away from the river corridor. This move is intended to improve safety by increasing the distance between the playground and the riverbank, enhancing visibility, and supporting better maintenance of the riverbank. The council also says it will ensure better connections to walking routes through the park.
Ageing equipment that has “reached the end of its serviceable life” will be replaced, while salvageable apparatus will be retained and incorporated into the new layout. The plans have been developed following an assessment of existing play equipment, surfacing, layout, and safety considerations.
Footpath Improvements and Accessibility
The council has identified several footpaths in the park that are “showing signs of wear and deterioration.” The proposed works include resurfacing significant sections of the footpath network and the car park, extending existing paths to improve connectivity, building a new link path to connect the riverside walk to the culvert crossing, and improving routes serving Woodlands Avenue and Roxbourne Rough.
To create a “positive first impression” and help visitors navigate the site, the council has also proposed replacing entrance gates, adding new park signage and wayfinding, and replacing bollards and fencing where required. These measures are designed to make the park “safer, more accessible, and better connected,” according to Harrow Council.
Investment and Community Engagement
The improvements are part of the local authority’s Park’s Capital Programme, which outlines investment for parks and open spaces across the borough. The programme aims to invest more than £6 million in these areas over the next three years to “improve facilities and raise quality standards.”
Harrow Council said: “Roxbourne Park is a valued community green space that supports recreation, sport, walking, nature, and community activities throughout the year. The proposed improvements aim to enhance the quality, accessibility, safety, and long-term sustainability of the park while protecting the features that make it a much-loved local destination.”
The proposals were developed following site assessments, condition surveys, accessibility reviews, and ongoing discussions with key park stakeholders and other groups that regularly use the park. These assessments have helped identify opportunities to improve ageing infrastructure, address ongoing maintenance issues, enhance accessibility, and invest in facilities that will benefit residents and visitors for years to come.
Residents are being encouraged to provide feedback on the plans, which will help shape the final design. The council has not yet announced a timeline for the works or a date for the consultation deadline.
