About
DKHAP is a safe green place in the heart of an urban community where children and young people can play, learn and develop skills for life.
It is open to all children aged 5-15 for free, supervised, open-access adventure play and activity sessions each weekday after school from 3-6pm and during school holidays from 9-5pm. The playground is staffed by qualified and experienced play workers, supported by volunteers.
Situated on Metropolitan Open Land, the playground is an oasis of green space with fantastic climbing structures, high-level wooden walkways and tree houses, swings, a zip wire, sandpit, space for football and other games and an outdoor gym. Children can grow flowers and vegetables, climb trees and build dens. Inside activities include art and crafts, music and cookery sessions, table tennis, pool and computer games.
Our activities enable children and young people to have new opportunities, develop their skills, build positive relationships across age groups and communities, and strengthen their physical and mental health.
Parents and carers can also join in some activities with their children and get to know other families from the community.
DKHAP is an inclusive environment that attracts and brings together children, young people and families from our diverse community. It is located in Champion Hill ward in the London Borough of Southwark where 44% of residents are from black and minority ethnic communities; DKHAP is situated between three large housing estates where many residents are on low incomes and few have gardens or access to outdoor space; it is also surrounded by areas of affluence. The playground is close to Bessemer Grange, Dog Kennel Hill and Goose Green primary schools and is much used by children from these, other local primaries and 4 local secondary schools.
DKHAP has been established for 50 years and works with a community of long-term statutory and voluntary sector partners and local people, including, parents and carers, former users, and local businesses.