Play area investment plan likely to encourage more children to sites
Mathew Little
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
The government's 235m investment in play spaces is likely to lead to more children using sites and staying longer, according to research.
Polling firm Ipsos Mori interviewed parents, children and local authority staff in seven areas where play spaces had been updated as part of the study Children and Parents' Experience of Recently Improved Play Areas. The aim was to provide an indication of the likely impact of the £235m Play Pathfinder and Play Builder programmes to enhance play spaces in England.
Parents and children felt the areas to be "much improved", the researchers found, while local councils reported an increase in the number of users.
Children reported visiting the sites for longer, especially during the summer holidays, because there was more to do. Local authority staff said that, in some cases, different types of users, such as disabled children, were playing at the sites.
Mark Robertson, director of communications at disability charity Whizz-Kidz, said: "We know from young wheelchair users that opportunities to play outside with friends are limited and many play areas are not accessible to them. We welcome investment that keeps play safe without compromising the challenge that comes with outdoor play."
The researchers concluded that exciting equipment and features were central to the appeal of refurbished play sites. "Although other features and considerations are important, the play equipment itself was foremost in children's minds when they described why they wanted to visit play areas," the report says.
Alan Sutton, policy and development officer at London Play, said: "Physical activity is important for children. The findings indicate the children's wishes for excitement and risk."
The report also says that new play areas will need to consider the different needs and preferences of girls and boys, with boys tending to want open spaces and girls valuing equipment that enables them to socialise.
The Play Pathfinider and Play Builder programmes provide funding for all local authorities to create new or improve existing play areas for children by 2011.
The first 500 will be open in time for the Easter break.