New playground opened for college families

Summer 2022 saw the construction of a small play area next to the college gym made possible by Annual Fund donors. The project was spearheaded by Graduate Common Room Committee Families and Partners’ Representative Lisa-Marie Mail (MSc Evidence-Based Social Intervention and Policy Evaluation, 2021) together with Clerk of Works Steve Williams and Academic Administrator Caitlin Pawulski.

The playground supports student parents to balance their study and family obligations, allowing them to fit short periods of play with their children around university commitments. The play area is also intended to provide a convenient space for student parents and their partners to meet informally with other families to strengthen connections between the GTC family community.

The area was constructed in stages – first the space was cleared and rubber matting installed to provide a safe surface for children. College staff from the maintenance team and College Office worked with the GCR to put the equipment together. The area was opened to families from late August and further toys have been delivered since.

It has quickly become a hub to meet with other families with the children able to play together nearby their homes. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive with families appreciating the convenience of having somewhere to play close by and recognised the investment the college had made.

Lisa-Marie commented, ‘I know my own son was very excited to be able to go to the area to play in the evenings after nursery and on weekends with other children on the street.’