Playgrounds: The best places to play

While the importance of play for children cannot be underestimated, building sustainable, yet exciting, play facilities is no simple task. As Alison Moore-Gwyn, director of the National Playing Fields Association, says: "There needs to be exciting equipment as well as attention to safety. But it is a thin line to tread between being safe and being exciting. Boring playgrounds are not what we want - children need an element of risk in their play, it excites them and keeps them challenged."

This job is made even more difficult as playgrounds face an uncertain future. With no central funding in place, many councils and voluntary groups are unable to pay for maintenance and upgrades, forcing an increasing number to close. And, although a ray of hope appeared in June 2001 when 200m in Lottery cash was pledged for play, this has now been thrown into doubt, with the Government confirming that the money will no longer be ringfenced (Children Now, 19-25 January).