Play Area Development
Welcome to the WDC Rural Play section which has been
designed to help rural communities across Wychavon improve the
range of play opportunities available to children and young people
in their area. The ‘Items’ covered in this section are based on the
Play Area Workshops organised by WDC earlier this year, additional
selected texts and the latest Playbuilder Application Forms and
Guidelines which were issued on 1st September
2009.
Importance of Play
Modern living has thrown up a range of
barriers to children playing. More traffic, less open space, real
and perceived dangers from crime, changes in family life and new
patterns of work have all conspired to deny more and more children
the opportunities that previous generations took for granted. The
consequences are profound. Increasing childhood obesity,
anti-social behaviour and even mental health problems have each
been at least partly attributed to young lifestyles that are more
sedentary and restricted than at any time in our recent history.
[NCB Planning for Play 2006].
Summary
Given the new appreciation of the importance
of play in forming a healthy society, the current availability of
funds and support, and the better understanding of what makes a
successful play area perhaps now is a good time to rethink your
play area.
Useful Information
Below is a list of useful documents, please do use the
Items below as a basis for discussion, guidance and
inspiration.
Item1: PlayEngland Presentation
This presentation touches on government play
grants strategy, the importance of play and recommends:
- the use of natural materials / habitats to increase the range
of play experiences and ensure that youngsters connect with the
environment
- the inclusion of adventurous facilities to provide a balance of
‘safe’ & risky play
- greater access for disabled children
Inclusion of these recommendations will
enhance bid success. As a further aid the presentation lists the
PlayEngland resources currently available to help play area
groups.
Item2: WCVYS Presentation
The Worcestershire Council for Voluntary Youth
Service’s presentation provides an interesting insight into the
teenager’s point of view
Items 3 & 4: Landscape Architect
Presentations
It is possible for a play area group to create
or refurbish a play area ‘themselves’, or with the aid of a play
equipment supplier or using an experienced, independent, landscape
architect ~ or any indeed any combination thereof according to the
scale of the works! These presentations summarise the steps
involved and include example plans that have been used to win
grants and develop sites.
Items 5 & 6:
Consultation
Consultation between young people (play area
users), parents, residents, other stakeholders (football club etc)
and of course the ‘commissioning body’ is the critical step in the
development of any successful play area / public open space.
These Items cover general questions on play areas in the Parish
Plan and also in targeted consultation. Sites such as www.cabe.org./files/spaceshaper
provide a quick insight into thinking about, and evaluating, public
open spaces. Consultation events are great for identifying
parishioners with skills that can be exploited eg project managers,
designers, fund raisers etc. Consultation generates a sense of
ownership and community spirit, as indeed do the subsequent fund
raising activities!
Items 7,8,9,10: Fund
Raising
There are a wide variety of grants available
for enhancing play areas / public open spaces, Playbuilder and
Community Space. Clearly applying for grants that are well matched
in terms of the objectives of the fund holder and the applicant
increases the likelyhood of a successful outcome. Precepts and S106
Agreements (funding from developers secured by local authorities as
part of the planning process) are alternative sources of funds.
Outline plans are sometimes required in order to secure grants in
which case a bit of ingenuity is required to raise the ~£1000
necessary to employ, say, a landscape architect. Some
villages hold annual events eg Open Gardens, Walkabouts etc and
donate the proceeds to a different cause each year so make sure the
play area features in the worthy causes short list. This approach
may even cover the cost of that ‘must have’ new play
facility!
Also Take a look at the Wychavon Rural
Play Initiative Grants page where you can get information
about how to apply for a grant.
Item 12: Multi User Games Area
(MUGA)
Andy Pitt
Active Communities Co-ordinator
Wychavon District Council
Queen Elizabeth Drive
Pershore, WR10 1PT
Tel: 01386 565211
Mob: 0797 383 5184
Email: andy.pitt@wychavon.gov.uk
