Park Hill Park in Croydon is set to receive a boost in funding for a new playground and disabled toilets after nine years of campaigning.

This announcement was made by the Croydon Council on the final day of Love Parks Week last week.

The funding of nearly £140,000 will come from money the council receives from developers for local infrastructure.

The decision to allocate funds for disabled toilets directly addresses the demand from park-goers as Friends of Park Hill Park say they have been “campaigning for these improvements since 2014”.

To celebrate the news, Executive Mayor Jason Perry and Councillor Scott Roche, a member of the council's environment cabinet, were joined by the Friends of Park Hill Park and council staff on Sunday afternoon.

Mayor Jason Perry described the move as a “a long delayed commitment to improve and care for our parks”.

The community is encouraged to be part of the playground design process, as plans will be announced in the forthcoming weeks, followed by a consultation.

In addition to the improvements at Park Hill Park, Croydon has also announced that Wandle Park has been awarded the international Green Flag accolade.

Executive Mayor Jason Perry said: “I’m delighted we have been able to secure funding to invest in this much-loved green space, and make it accessible for more members of the community.

"The new toilets – as well as the new playground – will be more inclusive and disability-friendly.”

“I’m glad we are restoring a long delayed commitment to improve and care for our parks, and getting back to doing the work that needs to be done to make Park Hill a friendlier and more accessible space for everyone to enjoy.”

Catherine Graham and Josi Kiss, co-chairs of the Friends of Park Hill Park said: “We are very pleased to learn that there are plans to install a disabled toilet and make improvements to the children's playground in the park.

“The Friends have been campaigning for these improvements since 2014.

“The new improvements will benefit all park users and people who attend our community gardening and wellbeing activities.

“We have been lobbying for new and safe equipment for the 40-year-old playground.

“This has become more apparent as use has grown with an increase in usage by children living in flats close to the park.

“We look forward to the consultation about the playground, and will be encouraging families to get involved.”