One of many successful projects achieved by the newham Community Project is the school playground at St. Anthony’s Primary School. This was a dull area of Tarmac with little to offer either children or wildlife. With the help of the project officer, pupils, staff, governors and parents designed a scheme of raised beds, tree planting and seating. Each bed has a different theme, such as cultural plants, insect plants or herbs. Murals were painted on the walls, and games and running tracks were painted onto the Tarmac. As well as greatly improving the appearance of the playground, the quality of the children’s play has improved, with fewer instances of trouble. A garden club has proved very popular with the children, and provides most of the plants for the school.

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