For a couple of hours every fortnight, children take over Love Lane
Love Lane in Woodside is officially London’s Play Street of the Year.
It’s the second time that Love Lane has won the award, having taken the title in 2016, too.
Children from the neighbourhood, who play in the street when it is closed to traffic on one Sunday afternoon each month, made a short movie about their favourite space, and they travelled into central London yesterday morning for an awards ceremony organised by the charity London Play.
Love Lane has seen a lot of community-building activity in the past three years, a work of love by parents and residents which has included turning what was a neglected plot of land, near the Beckenham branch of the tram network, into a much-used pop-up gardens and play space.
And every other Sunday, Love Lane is closed off to traffic to provide a safe play space for the local kids.
Emma Hope-Fitch, one of the grown-ups who have given local children the chance to play on their own street, told Inside Croydon: “The children have made Play Street their own.
Love Lane youngsters in the West End yesterday, where their project was named as London Play Street of the Year
“They had to make a short film about what Play Street is to them. There was a lot of excitement when we were shortlisted again this year, and invited to the Prince Charles Theatre for the awards.
“Play London put on a great show for everyone, and all the finalists had a great time. I’d love to see more play streets across the borough, hopefully awards like this will help show how easy it really is to get one going.
“It’s been another great year for Love Lane and we are carrying on into 2018 every second Sunday of each from 2 to 4pm.”
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