PARENTS who have to travel miles to find a playground for their children have been given hope of a solution to their problem.

There is currently no play area in the Monkhams ward of the borough and, despite repeated pleas from parents, neither the council or the City of London Corporation have been able to identify a suitable site or funding for any project.

The City of London will not sanction the construction of permanent structures such as swings or slides on Epping Forest land.

But in a letter to Monkhams councillor Linda Huggett, the Superintendant of Epping Forest, Paul Thomson, says he is prepared to meet with ward councillors to discuss the possibility of a natural play area, possibly on Woodford Green.

He said: “Forest land provides many opportunities for natural play including tree climbing, tree scrambling on fallen trees, shelter building and wet play.”

Epping Forest Conservators are currently constructing a natural play facility at Connaught Waters in Loughton and Mr Thomson says there is a possibility that a similar scheme could be considered on Woodford Green.

Funding would have to be found for any play area, and that could prove to be a stumbling block.

But Cllr Huggett said: “I’m more hopeful after this latest letter than I was previously.

“I think the problem was that the City of London thought we wanted a tarmac area with swings and slides, but we are more than happy to have a natural play area.

“It’s not a commitment but at least they are talking to us.”

The issue has been raised at a succession of local Council Committee meetings, with local parent Janet Oliver, 38, of Broomhill Walk, proposing a number of possible sites.

She said she was hopeful that agreement could be reached on a natural play area on Woodford Green.

And she added: “The Green is such a wasted area for children.

“You see so many people walking their dogs there, but the idea of having a small area set aside for children is great.

“My children are happy exploring and making dens and so a natural play area would be great.

“If there are problems finding the money, perhaps local parents could even look into doing some fundraising to help.”

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