Magic Corner
Playground Revitalisation
- Fundraiser
- Children's Playground
The Magic Corner aims to refurbish and revitalise the playground at Manor House Gardens, to improve the experience for young families and the wider community.
Location:
Manor House Gardens
Taunton Road
London
SE13 5SU
United Kingdom
> Improving safety and accessibility for children.
> Encouraging outdoor play and connection with nature.
> Promoting social interaction and healthy play.
The Magic Corner aims to refurbish and revitalise the playground at Manor House Gardens, which is currently unsafe for children and toddlers due to severely deteriorated flooring. Art Voyage aims to take immediate action and spearhead the necessary intervention to ensure the space can be used safely by young families and the wider community.
The project will transform the playground into a vibrant, inclusive hub that supports children’s wellbeing, encourages outdoor play and connection with nature, and brings the local community together. By improving safety and accessibility, the project will help restore the playground as a welcoming space that supports early-years development, social interaction and healthy play.
Current Concerns
The playground has become increasingly unsafe and uninviting. With reduced use of the playground and a decline in community engagement within the park, the playground no longer serves as a vibrant meeting point for the community.
- The rubber flooring has been severely damaged.
- Tree roots growing underneath the flooring are causing trip hazards, with parents expressing concern about potential injuries.
- The current flooring is plain and dull which, according to locals, does not match the joy and creativity of the playground.
Without intervention, the space will further decline, both environmentally and socially.
What Does the Project Involve?
Playground Resurfacing
Partnering with Friends of Manor House Gardens, Glendale Managed Services, and Abacus Playgrounds, we will restore the surface of Manor House Gardens Playground to ensure it is safe, accessible, and enjoyable for all local children.
Creative Workshops
We will deliver workshops with 8-10 local schools, allowing local children to contribute to their playgrounds mural. These sessions will provide exciting, interactive, and fun experiences that bring together children from different communities across Lewisham, encouraging creativity and strengthening community connections.
Mural Design by Zoe Powers
Inspired by ideas developed during the workshops, mural artist Zoe Powers will create the final design. This collaborative approach will ensure that local children see themselves reflected in the artwork while creating a cohesive and inclusive final piece.
Children’s Artwork Exhibition
Artwork produced during the workshops will be displayed at Manor House Gardens alongside the completed mural, celebrating the creativity and contributions of participating children.
Stalls and Live Music
During the unveiling event, there will be stalls offering food, drinks, and more, allowing locals to share their work, building community, and making the playground a hub for Lewisham locals. The event will also include performances by local musicians and bands, providing a platform to showcase local talent and celebrate Lewisham’s vibrant creative community.
Collaborating Artist
Zoë Power is a Bristol based mural painter and artist. With a portfolio spanning 100 metre long murals, city takeovers and big-name brands alongside community projects, she has painted murals around the UK, spreading accessible, uplifting art to communities and transforming grey cityscapes.
Zoë’s work is inspired by the vibrant and diverse culture of the city. Amongst zingy patterns and jostling colours; connection, feminism and community are themes that feature in her work. Zoë’s colourful, bold and crisp style is influenced by her time studying traditional printmaking techniques – she graduated in 2018 with an MA in Printmaking.
Partners and Supporters
Previous Project: Echoes of Migration, 2025
As a part of our previous project- Echoes of Migration, Art Voyage currently has three permanent art installations at Manor House Gardens that are open to the public.
To Move Is To Bloom
Vladimir Lalić
Crafting Connections
40 local participants + award winning artist, Alice Burnhope
The People’s Table
Ryan Hawaii
Your donation to The Magic Corner is not just supporting a project – you’re joining a movement that celebrates communities, empowers artists, and transforms public spaces into living places of creativity, and pride.