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New Play Areas : Three Reports East Sussex: Building and improving play areas

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These are stories from three areas of the UK about new play facilities under the Golvernment’s ‘Fair Play’ strategy. One story raises the issue of closure of small play areas close to home in favour of larger areas further away.

New playgrounds are being built and others refurbished as part of the Play Pathfinder project. This forms part of a national initiative to encourage more children to use new and improved play facilities. Play is a vital part of every child’s social and physical development and encourages creativity and social interaction. The development of a National Play Strategy has resulted in a programme of grants to support children’s play. East Sussex has received over £2 million to provide improved play areas for children aged eight to 13 years old. So far, 14 play areas have been developed.

Denton Playground Eastbourne borough Hampden Park – new playground in Hampden Park Princes Park – both the Channel View playground and the Wartling Road playground have been refurbished with new equipment Sovereign Skate Park – refurbishment of existing skate park to replace old ramps. Hastings borough

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6th May 2009 | UK | Children’s Play |

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Ore Valley – a large new adventure playground is currently being built, and children, families and the community are being asked their views on its development Westhill – refurbishment of existing play area with new equipment Shornden – refurbishment of existing play area with new equipment Waterside Close – refurbishment of existing play area with new equipment. Lewes district Denton Road, Newhaven – refurbishment of existing play area with new equipment Eastside Recreation Ground, Newhaven – refurbishment of existing play area with new equipment. Rother district Seabourne Road, Bexhill – newly developed play space Westfield – refurbishment of existing play area with new equipment The Clappers Recreation Ground, Robertsbridge – newly developed play space. Wealden district Hailsham – new playground on Morris Thornton playing fields Frant – refurbishment of existing play area with new equipment Uckfield – new skate park development. Denton Playground in Newhaven

Developing more play areas

Ideas are currently being considered to develop more play areas in East Sussex. For further information on this second phase of Play Pathfinder projects in your area, please click on a district or borough council on our page Parks and play areas in East Sussex.

Poole: £1m for children’s play areas

By Rachel Doherty Poole has been given £1 million by the government to pay for children’s play areas in conjunction with the na-


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tional play strategy. Over the next two years, 22 play areas will receive funding of £30,000- £80,000 to make improvements and build new ones. These improvements will be made in two phases - phase 1 is from April 2009March 2010 for the first 11 play areas and the second phase is from April 2010- March 2011 for the other 11. Ian Turner, media spokesman for Poole borough, said: “The play areas are provided for young children aged 8-13 to play in. There will be consultation by us with parents, children, voluntary and resident groups. We are asking parents and children what they want to see in play areas and [their comments] will play a significant role.”

The project is part of the Bournemouth and Poole play strategy, an initiative to encourage play opportunities for children and young people in Poole. It was developed by Poole borough in partnership with Bournemouth borough council, voluntary organisations and other agencies. The aim of the strategy is to achieve the best results for children and young people in Bournemouth and Poole. It aims to ensure every child has a healthy high quality of life, the opportunities to achieve their personal goals and ambitions, able to participate in the life of their local community and are kept safe from harm. Mr Turner said: “All partners will work within communities to promote the use of shared play space and provide the best play opportunities and facilities for all children and young people in Bournemouth and Poole.”

A full list of the 22 play areas, which are set to receive a make-over through the playbuilder fund, can be viewed at www.leisureprojects.net.

Worcester: Comment: Don’t write off our little playgrounds

A big review of Worcester’s play parks has begun. When it is finished some will be scheduled for work that will



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transform them into first-class facilities while others will close. It goes without saying that the revamp is welcome, and this newspaper applauds the city council’s determination to fund it from regional and national sources.

We are less comfortable about the decision to close some of the city’s smaller play areas. Why should children whose nearest playpark happens to be small lose out in favour of children living near larger facilities? The argument that they will just have to travel a bit farther for their fun just won’t wash. It is a challenge just getting small children safely from one side of the street to another, let alone into a different neighbourhood. We have some sympathy for Worcester’s cash-strapped city council, which must juggle its decreasing resources. But we wonder if the same resolve to look outside the city for funding for larger playparks cannot be applied to the smaller ones?

Perhaps when our current economic conditions ease private firms might even be approached and asked to sponsor some of our children’s play areas.

The possibility of sites carrying advertising could even be explored.

Surely, in an age where children have fewer and fewer safe places to play it is worth putting up more of a fight to keep these little havens of fun? Source: We gratefully acknowledge the following - East Sussex County Council, http://poolepeople.co.uk, www.berrowsjournal.co.uk All opinions are expressed are those of the author not of Fair Play for Children, unless otherwise stated



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