An adventure playground designed and built in its entirety by a team of teenagers has been unveiled to the public.

Hackney Gazette: Huan Rimington right with the designers in the playgroundHuan Rimington right with the designers in the playground (Image: Archant)

The Clubhouse, at Hackney Marshes Adventure Playground on the Kingsmead estate, was built by 14 youngsters aged 12 to 16 alongside youth charity Risk Agency.

They came up with a design using ideas from the playground’s users, who said they wanted somewhere to climb and hang out.

They then spent five days on-site constructing it from foundations to completion, learning skills like carpentry, sawing and drilling.

The structure has nets, poles and ladders with a hut space in the air where young children in the playground can hang out.

Huan Rimington, Risk Agency’s founder and a former apprentice himself, said: “The young people learned a lot about working together.

“They have a big sense of pride in what they’ve done and also what they can achieve if they put their minds to it.

“The Clubhouse is just one example of what local young people can do, given the right opportunity. So many of our young people are denied the skills, experiences and connections that can enable them to take on roles of influence and leadership.”

Angela Day, who manages the playground, added: “Take one school half term, a group of young people, a couple of fantastic engineers and a small budget for materials, and ta-dah – one impressive large wooden club house and climbing frame.

“I stand in awe of what can be achieved when you have the right mind set, creativity and good team spirit.”

Risk Agency was set up in 2014 by construction company Adventure Playground Engineers (APES) in response to the lack of apprenticeship and construction opportunities available to the capital’s youth.

It was awarded charitable status last year.