Adventure playgrounds in York Gardens and Kimber Road Gardens could be privatised, but the council has scotched rumours that they may be closed.

Cash-strapped Wandsworth Council confirmed on Tuesday that "at this stage there are no proposals to close any of them" - a statement welcomed by campaigners determined to protect all three of the borough's adventure playgrounds.

However, a council spokesman said talks are underway to transfer the two playgrounds to new providers and it is talking to users of Battersea Park adventure playground about how it can be run on a reduced budget.

A council spokesperson said: "As a result of the spending squeeze affecting all public services we will have £30 million less to spend next year.

"We are now talking to a number of people about how to achieve savings whilst protecting our important frontline services and minimising the impact on residents."

Staff cuts already mean Battersea Park adventure playground now has shorter opening hours, and it remained closed on Monday, the first day of half term.

Women of Wandsworth (WowMums) has been campaigning to save the adventure playgrounds, following aborted proposals earlier this year to charge youngsters at Battersea Park £2.50.

Founder Senia Dedic said: "We are happy they are not going to charge us for them, and very happy they don't have any proposals for closing.

"But they are not consulting the public about it. When we get out of this recession we will have lost everything to privatisation."

A petition was started last weekend by Wandsworth Against Cuts (WAC) following reports of the threatened closures.

Jane Eades, a member of WAC said: "It was clear from the responses that most people in that area do not know that there is a threat to the adventure playgrounds and almost everyone was hugely supportive of the contribution it makes to the area."