In Photos: Friends of Max Roach Park brave the elements to brighten Brixton green space

Volunteers turned out in the rain last week to plant daisies and continue improvements at Max Roach Park, as the newly formed Friends of Max Roach Park stepped up efforts …

Feb 17, 2026 - 02:16

In Photos: Friends of Max Roach Park brave the elements to brighten Brixton green space

Volunteers turned out in the rain last week to plant daisies and continue improvements at Max Roach Park, as the newly formed Friends of Max Roach Park stepped up efforts to revitalise the popular Brixton green space.

Max Roach Park was created in 1978 as part of the Brixton Development Plan and was renamed in 1986 when Lambeth Council dedicated a number of local sites to figures of African descent. Jazz drummer Max Roach attended the park’s official opening during a visit to London that year.

Working around one of the park’s defining features, the statue First Child by Raymond Watson on the south corner by Brixton Road, residents planted flowers at its base.

The sculpture commemorates the 116 children killed in the 1976 Soweto uprising during South Africa’s apartheid regime and was unveiled in 1998 by South Africa’s Deputy High Commissioner, Happy Mahlangu.

The park includes a children’s playground, the long-standing One O’Clock Club building and a nature trail linking through to Rush Common.

Further improvements planned include new benches, brickwork repairs and fencing around the children’s play area.

New gardening tools donated by Incredible Edible Lambeth supported the session, alongside additional help from Loughborough Community Centre.

The Friends group meets monthly and is encouraging more local residents to get involved.

*[Michelle Killington, Friend of Max Roach Park with John-Paul Ennis]*

Cllr John-Paul Ennis, who joined volunteers on the night, said:

“It’s great when members of our community come together to create something positive. We’ve been working together for the past few months and already seen some amazing progress, new play equipment has been installed, weeds removed and bulbs planted. There’s many more exciting things to come as we make Brixton’s front garden a place that everyone feels welcome.” – Cllr John-Paul Ennis

“This was the highlight of my day,” stated by one of the Friends.

*[First Child by Raymond Watson in daylight]*

Organisers say the group’s guiding motto is “Brixton Beautiful Front Garden”, reflecting their aim to make the park a space the whole community can take pride in.

Friends of Max Roach park are keen for more volunteer to take part in the group and anyone wishing to get involved or donate should drop a line to the address below.