A children's play area has been dubbed "the saddest playground in the UK" as it consists of just a tiny slide and a bench. The dreary sight contains only one small metal slide just three steps high with a wooden seat a few feet away.
The tiny playground in Waterfall Terrace, Tooting, south west London, is just a few feet wide and has a black metal fence around the drab asphalt. It was slammed by residents who branded the playground a “sad art installation” while another called it “pathetic”.
Rex Osborn, who is standing for election as a Labour councillor for Tooting Broadway, shared a photo on Twitter, adding: “For 44 years Conservative Wandsworth Council neglected Tooting Broadway. This sad, dismal Council playground is symbolic of that neglect. If elected to the Council, 0n 14 July, I’ll get this playground upgraded.”
Dr Rosena Allin-Khan, Labour MP for Tooting, even joined in slamming the playground, saying: "The remnants of 44 years of Tory rule in Wandsworth. The saddest looking playground, ever. With a new Labour Council now in place, we’re going to change it."
But another Twitter user, whose profile proclaims support for Huddersfield Town AFC nearly 200 miles away said: “Get a grip that’s not neglect just undersized. Try up north to see what neglect is. Jesus it’s even painted.”
One of the residents, who lives in the cul-de-sac and asked not to give her name, said there was nothing wrong with the mini playground. She added: “It's actually not that bad. For someone who is looking at it from an outside perspective then maybe, but I think it’s meant to be for the people on this cul-de-sac and there are only seven houses.
“It was the first place my children started playing. On a summer’s day they would be out every day.
“They manage their own games and things like that. I did try to put some outdoor toys there but the council came and took them away.”
