Initiated by Crystal Palace Park Trust in 2021 as an antidote to the isolation and inactivity suffered by local young people from a lengthy bout of Covid confinement, the Summer of Play programme is now a crucial fixture in Crystal Palace Park’s events calendar as it makes its return during the 2023 school holidays.

With over 80 participatory events, courses and workshops open to local children and young adults from the Crystal Palace, Penge, Sydenham, Anerley, Gipsy Hill, Upper Norwood and other nearby communities,  Summer of Play provides an accessible and inclusive celebration of this long-awaited Summer.  Utilising income raised from commercial events held in the park, Summer of Play is funded wholly by the Trust as part of its mission to ensure that Crystal Palace Park offers something for everyone within the community. And, for 2023, the organisation has expanded its range of activities from previous years to include everything from stand-up comedy and printmaking workshops to survival skills and parkour.

A spokesperson from the Trust elaborated, “We are delighted to continue to offer activities for the young people in our community.  In line with the Trust's charitable objects, we want to create a place for recreation and enjoyment.  Summer of Play gives us that opportunity as well as connecting with our local communities.”

Held across 22 dates on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 23 July until 16 September in various locations within the park, the Summer of Play provides an opportunity for young people to enjoy a range of unique activities appealing to an array of interests. Sessions are led by experienced DBS screened facilitators and programmed to be accessible and age ppropriate, allowing participants to additionally benefit from the programmeby safely making new friends from the local area during the extended break fromtheir studies.