Wingfield Park Improvements

Wingfield Park is situated near Central Baptist Church and Vestry House in Walthamstow Village. The park offers a variety of play facilities for children and pockets of recreation.




In 2012, a unique Chinese dragon wood-carved sculpture by artist Will Lee was installed as part of ‘London Play's’ initiative. In 2014 there was some improvements to the junior play equipment including the installation of a new slide.

Waltham Forest Council is investing £100,000 from Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) to make new improvements to the park. This is not a large enough amount to make big changes, such as brand new park with all new play equipment, water features, sand pits or refurbishing/removing the pavilion building. However, it is enough to make noticeable changes to improve the look and feel of the park, and overall experience for residents and visitors.

The climbable Chinese dragon sculpture is also in state of disrepair due to wood-rot, and poses a health and safety risk. This will need to be removed as part of the works. Unfortunately, a new sculpture would use a significant chunk of the budget, and therefore we will not replace it at this time in order to prioritise spending on what is needed most. However, this is a perfect opportunity to reimagine how else we can use this space.

Public Engagement was conducted between 16th June 2025 and 6th July 2025 to understand the priorities for improvements from local residents and those who use the park. Below is is a summery of the engagement taken and findings, which will influence the delivery of the project.


Engagement taken

  • Wingfield Park page on ‘Let’s Talk’ engagement platform received 349 visitors between 16th June and 6th July.
  • Survey on Let’s Talk page open from 16th June to 6th July, received 146 responses.
  • 2547 residents near Wingfield Park received flyer about improvements, asking people to complete the online survey.
  • Engagement tent set up at Wingfield Park on 28th June for members of the public to speak to Parks and Regeneration officers about their priorities for improvements.
  • Council officers spoke to approximately 50 people.
  • Council officer attended V17 (local residents association) on 28th June to speak about Wingfield Park project, encouraging attendees to partake and share online survey.
  • Friends of Wingfield Park group shared a summary of their priorities for Wingfield Park improvements after meeting local ward Councillors.


Summary of what people said

  • Children’s play areas was the top community priority, particularly highlighting the need for better surfacing, and more inclusive play equipment (SEND friendly), and fixing tired and dated play equipment.
  • Breakout spaces away from the play areas was for adults to relax, including additional seating and shaded picnic areas.
  • Enhancing biodiversity, with suggestions to repurpose the dragon sculpture as a bug hotel.
  • Better maintenance of vegetation such as re-landscaping, ensuring thorny bushes are well pruned, and removing a dead tree covered in ivy.
  • There was some confusion over rules of the park, such as where to play ball games and where to walk dogs. Clearer signage was suggested.
  • There was a desire for a community café with toilet provisions in the hut. Whilst this is outside the scope of this improvement project, this is been pursued separately with the Council trying to get a suitable tenant for the hut.

If you have any further queries about this project please contact: regeneration@walthamforest.gov.uk

Wingfield Park is situated near Central Baptist Church and Vestry House in Walthamstow Village. The park offers a variety of play facilities for children and pockets of recreation.




In 2012, a unique Chinese dragon wood-carved sculpture by artist Will Lee was installed as part of ‘London Play's’ initiative. In 2014 there was some improvements to the junior play equipment including the installation of a new slide.

Waltham Forest Council is investing £100,000 from Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) to make new improvements to the park. This is not a large enough amount to make big changes, such as brand new park with all new play equipment, water features, sand pits or refurbishing/removing the pavilion building. However, it is enough to make noticeable changes to improve the look and feel of the park, and overall experience for residents and visitors.

The climbable Chinese dragon sculpture is also in state of disrepair due to wood-rot, and poses a health and safety risk. This will need to be removed as part of the works. Unfortunately, a new sculpture would use a significant chunk of the budget, and therefore we will not replace it at this time in order to prioritise spending on what is needed most. However, this is a perfect opportunity to reimagine how else we can use this space.

Public Engagement was conducted between 16th June 2025 and 6th July 2025 to understand the priorities for improvements from local residents and those who use the park. Below is is a summery of the engagement taken and findings, which will influence the delivery of the project.


Engagement taken

  • Wingfield Park page on ‘Let’s Talk’ engagement platform received 349 visitors between 16th June and 6th July.
  • Survey on Let’s Talk page open from 16th June to 6th July, received 146 responses.
  • 2547 residents near Wingfield Park received flyer about improvements, asking people to complete the online survey.
  • Engagement tent set up at Wingfield Park on 28th June for members of the public to speak to Parks and Regeneration officers about their priorities for improvements.
  • Council officers spoke to approximately 50 people.
  • Council officer attended V17 (local residents association) on 28th June to speak about Wingfield Park project, encouraging attendees to partake and share online survey.
  • Friends of Wingfield Park group shared a summary of their priorities for Wingfield Park improvements after meeting local ward Councillors.


Summary of what people said

  • Children’s play areas was the top community priority, particularly highlighting the need for better surfacing, and more inclusive play equipment (SEND friendly), and fixing tired and dated play equipment.
  • Breakout spaces away from the play areas was for adults to relax, including additional seating and shaded picnic areas.
  • Enhancing biodiversity, with suggestions to repurpose the dragon sculpture as a bug hotel.
  • Better maintenance of vegetation such as re-landscaping, ensuring thorny bushes are well pruned, and removing a dead tree covered in ivy.
  • There was some confusion over rules of the park, such as where to play ball games and where to walk dogs. Clearer signage was suggested.
  • There was a desire for a community café with toilet provisions in the hut. Whilst this is outside the scope of this improvement project, this is been pursued separately with the Council trying to get a suitable tenant for the hut.

If you have any further queries about this project please contact: regeneration@walthamforest.gov.uk