Playground Partnership Pockets Prestigious Prize

Pictured (l-r): Kathryn Severn, (SAPCA Chair), Libby and Marco Boi (Play Innovation) Bradley Green (Head of Delivery, L&Q) Ben Ibrahim (Divisional Director, Axis) and Martin Johnson (England Rugby star) at the SAPCA Awards Ceremony

A creative collaboration between Housing Association L&Q, their property services partner Axis Europe and play pioneers Play Innovation scooped a prestigious Sports and Play Construction Association (SAPCA) Award 2024.

Working alongside Axis and Play Innovation, L&Q invested £1m to transform seven under-used playground areas in London and Essex into safe and modern family-inclusive sports areas which help tackle inactivity and inequality.

On behalf of the partnership’s work at two playgrounds – Silwood Street Ball Court Zone and Pocket Park Play Area – Play Innovation received the award for the category Small Sports or Play Project of the Year (under £350k) at the 2024 Sports and Play Construction Association Award (announced February 2024).

“Axis is extremely proud to have worked with our client L&Q on this award-winning project which is a perfect representation of Axis’ own Core Value 6: A community we contribute to will welcome and value us.

“We are glad too to have worked closely with Play Innovation and to see them grow and gain more great opportunities as a result of this high-profile collaboration and the SAPCA award” – Joe Ibrahim, MD, Projects at Axis

“The partnership with Play Innovation, L&Q and Axis Europe gave us the chance to create something special – which has been recognised by us winning a SAPCA Award for the project. This really is a huge achievement. Working with L&Q and Axis and winning this award has helped raise Play Innovation’s profile” – Marco Boi, Founder of Play Innovation

“We’re proud to have worked with Play Innovation and Axis Europe to bring these underused spaces back to life for families to enjoy. The success of our collaboration – including winning the SAPCA Award – demonstrates … how investment and innovation in creating modern playgrounds can help local communities to thrive” – Bradley Green, Head of Delivery at L&Q

More about SAPCA

The finalists in the six categories of the SAPCA Awards highlight the importance of high-quality sports and play construction to those who benefit from it the most – the people and communities who are the end users of the facilities.

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