Improving the play ‘offer’ available to children
is not just a matter of ensuring the quality and sustainability of
designated play areas.
That’s because children play wherever they
are: in their school grounds, in parks, or simply in the street. A
wide range of local services have a role in making these places
more accessible to children.
For older children, who no longer think of
themselves as ‘playing’, the need for free time and space for
informal recreation and socialising is also important.
Children want the places where they play and
socialise to be at the heart of their communities. Many children
value being in sight of (or at least in easy distance of)
responsible adults.
The previous Government's national Play
Strategy called on local authorities to provide safer routes to
play space, with the expectation that children’s travel needs are
considered in local planning for play.
Safety concerns undermine children’s ability to play and travel
independently. Responses to the Fair Play consultation
showed that children and their parents are concerned about busy
roads and intimidation by older children.
Improved transport planning and better design of public spaces
can address both concerns, as can measures such as community
policing, play rangers and parks' wardens.
Creating public spaces that are more attractive to children and
young people to play and socialise in requires joined-up thinking
across local authority departments and their partners.
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