New guidance for natural play areas
Ross Watson
Monday, August 24, 2009
Play England has published guidance to help local authorities maintain natural play areas.
The guidance advises that when commissioning services for the design and development of play spaces, local authorities should consider "incorporating into any tender a maintenance contract, which could include regular visits, watering if necessary, and replacement of damaged features".
Issy Cole-Hamilton, Play England's head of policy research, said: "Play England has published this guide in response to requests from play providers keen to improve children's opportunities to play in more natural surroundings. The guide was written with specialists in designing and managing naturalistic play spaces and draws on their experience in managing and maintaining these spaces."
CYP Now reported in June that the government's £235m strategy to create 3,500 new play areas was being undermined as some authorities created natural areas that were unsustainable. Concerns raised by a national play inspection company included the use of untreated wood that was rotting away, patches of grass being left to wear away and ditches being left to hold water, turning into a "boggy mess".