50 years of Landport Adventure Playground marked by fun-filled event
Hundreds gathered at the playground to celebrate its 50th anniversary with activities, face painting, and a community disco
Hundreds of children gathered at Landport Adventure Playground for a day of fun in the sun to celebrate the park’s 50th anniversary.
The playground was the first of six adventure playgrounds to be built across the city, and to celebrate its big 50th birthday Portsmouth City Council held a free community event featuring fun activities, face painting, and a community disco.
“It’s great to have a place where children can be themselves,” said Councillor Darren Sanders, Cabinet Member for Housing. “Parents can feel that their children are safe here.”
The adventure playground was developed by adventure play professional, Dave Potter who also joined the anniversary celebrations.
“I was already working as an adventure play leader in London and the local authority members from Portsmouth did a tour of London adventure playgrounds to get an idea of how it might be if they had one,” Mr Potter explained.
When he first saw the plot of land where Landport Adventure Playground would be built, he said it was a “completely flat empty site”.
“We would develop the structures in tandem with the kids when we went, " he said. “It just evolved into what it is today, it's amazing.”
Beyond enjoying themselves, parks like Landport are important for “learning play oriented skills; social development, physical capabilities, dealing with their emotions, getting on with each other, being involved and treated fairly,” said Mr Potter
“In circumstances where this may not be available to a child in their normal lives outside of school, somewhere like this is an invaluable place to go in their free time.”
Councillor Sanders estimates that between 80 and 100 children use the park every day, and local schools, youth groups and young carer groups use the facilities to provide a way for children to blow off steam and learn through play.
The anniversary also coincides with another special milestone, as 2026 marks site manager Geoff Chapman’s 25th year of working as an adventure play worker.
“I attended adventure playgrounds as a kid, they meant so much to me and there was always support there,” said Mr Chapman. “Play staff were there to help with troubled times.”
“We build everything and design everything in cooperation with our young people,” he said. “We work with the children, do observational work of how they use the park.”
Councillor Sanders commended the inclusion of the children’s views into the design of their park. He said: “You cannot run this from some ivory tower and we do not want to. We are pleased to be able to celebrate in this way and delighted to keep it going.”
The celebration featured arts and crafts activities, face painting, a community disco, refreshments, and the creation of a special time capsule.
Mr Potter also planted an olive tree in the park to commemorate the occasion.
“Throughout the summer there will be more events, a wet play day; an outdoor movie night,” said Mr Chapman.
Portsmouth also has adventure playgrounds in Stamshaw, Paulsgrove, Buckland, Somerstown and Portsea.