Expensive rides make Wandsworth Park a no go zone for pestered parents

Wandsworth Park hosted a summer fai rfor children from 4th - 13th August advertised as 'Fun for Everyone', however this not the reactionof many parents and local community group Friends of Wandsworth Park.

The issue of expense made the fair " .. a nightmare to be avoided" as parents children " pestered" parents to go the rides .."again, again, again!". The fair rides had risen from £4 to £5 a ride and this summer there was no ' half price happy hour' that had been available in 2016.

Due to its location next to the childrens playground it was impossible to avoid en-route to the swings. As local parent Sam Wardill commented: "I think this fun fair is neither fun nor a fair use of the park because the fares are far too high. I count myself very fortunate having such a great park so near to my house. I do, however, rely on it as a free source of entertainment for the kids (especially during school holidays). The Wandsworth Park kids playground is currently a chore to visit because I have to explain to my (three) children why (at £15 a pop) they can't go on the fun fair rides next door."

Sam contacted Friends of Wandsworth Park to enquire if the group had been consulted or warned of the plan fo rthe fair this summer. Pat Gross of FOWP told this website: "FoWP was grateful for the community feedback. We were saddened, once again, to have not been notified or consulted regarding events in the Park as we have a great deal of knowledge of the community sentiment and what people and families like to support and what they don't. We believe a Park should be inclusive and by restricting people because access is prohibitive financially is unacceptable. We hope we can be instrumental in improving this in the future".

We contacted the Council who wil have authorised the fair, but as yet have had no response.


£5 a ride

August 14, 2017