It's only one-third the size of a football pitch, but the open tarmac space of the Marlborough is impressive for Bankside. We aim to keep it that way - local people have made it clear that the Marlborough is really important as a football space, for riding wheelies and learning to skate or cycle, and as the only place you can really run and run.

The playground is nearly a hundred years old. It was first laid out in 1919 at the suggestion of Consuelo, Duchess of Marlborough for children to play in. In its deeper history the area was covered in dense buildings, including two of the historic coachyards opening from Borough High Street.

Following BOST's recent consultation, new goals, markings and seats were put into the Marlborough in summer 2005 - but it still needs more. The schools enjoy using it, but would like higher levels of safety, and the children would like a softer surface to land on when they stumble. We want to make it more usable for different sports and to plant a few trees for shade and beauty.

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