Parsloes Park in the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham has been transformed into a colourful play haven to encourage children and young people to climb, hang out and play sports.

With his signature use of vibrant colours and geometric patterns, the British-Nigerian designer Yinka Ilori has repurposed parts of an out-of-use playground to create The Flamboyance of Flamingos. The design imagines collaborative play for children of all ages, including the reintroduction of pink flamingos – who once inhabited the park – in the form of bouncy spring rockers and a circular seating area. A new basketball court is also introduced along with abstract structures to encourage alternative forms of play. Combining off-the-shelf play equipment with customised designs, these unique structures open possibilities for expanding the imaginations of children and adults alike. The playground was unveiled in July 2022 as part of the Becontree Centenary,  a year-long programme of artist-led projects to mark the centenary of the Becontree estate in Dagenham.

Co-commissioned by Create London and the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham (LBBD). This commission is funded by LBBD’s Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy.