What is play?

Mapping of Play Provision

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has undertaken a robust mapping exercise, identifying the scale of and need for play infrastructure across the borough. Part of this mapping exercise required us to set a local standard. It is proposed that the local standard is: ‘That the majority of households within towns and villages will be within a maximum of 500 metres (a ten minute walk) radius of a fixed play area.’

However, consideration must be given to differing needs and play options in rural and urban areas, as it is not always possible to have fixed play in small settlements as defined by the Council’s Planning Department.

In 2017 there were approximately 26,212 children aged 0 – 15 years in Mid and East Antrim. The map below shows the locations of our play areas and the population of children in each ward.

Play Investment Strategy

A number of Elected Member workshops, including District Electoral Area (DEA) workshops were held in 2019 and 2020 to discuss The Play Investment Strategy which included the design principles for all future fixed play area refurbishments and the criteria for progressing new play areas.

Some of the design principles agreed include;

• The requirement to meet agreed safety standards

• Provide inclusive play experiences

• Provide safety surfacing which is safe and in keeping with the surrounding environment

• Sustainable, value for money procurement methods

For each of the play area designations the following level of investment has been agreed

Designation Walking distance to play area

Local

600m Neighbourhood 1000m Destination 5000m Transformation* Level of investment £75,000 £130,000 £500,000 Up to £20,000

Transformation of Play Areas

Where a play area no longer meets local needs, e.g. through change in demographics or through duplication in provision, the area could be transformed into a community space for alternative use by local residents.

Transformation projects would only be considered when a play area has reached the end of its life and is no longer fit for purpose and it is not safe to open. In considering how to transform the area consideration should be given to those living near the old play area and residents and Elected Members must be consulted on any proposals.

Duplication of Play Areas

Across the Borough there are a number of areas that have two or more play areas in close proximity to each other. The council has 69 play areas and although some of these have been refurbished or replaced in recent years a significant number are in urgent need of investment. It is not feasible to invest in all play areas so areas of duplication need reviewed. When reviewing which play parks should be replaced and when they should be replaced it has been agreed that the following points need to be considered:

• Proximity to other fixed play provision;

• What is the status of each park; » Age of existing equipment » Play Value Score (location, measure of engagement and maintenance;)

• Have the demographics changed since the parks were initially installed, i.e. how many children in the area?

• Is there community consent to reduce the number of parks? For example an area that has three local play parks, is there community support to create one larger neighbourhood play park and either transform the other two local play parks into new community spaces or allow them to remain open until they are no longer fit for purpose. • Proximity to other community assets, e.g. schools, community centres, beaches, tourism offerings etc

Criteria or A New Play Park

There are areas with more than one play park and there are also areas with no play parks or play areas. The Council have 69 play parks and a significant capital budget is required to replace the older play parks as well as an annual revenue budget to maintain the existing play parks. Therefore, in considering requests for a new play park the following criteria should be assessed:

• Identified local need (demographics and consultation);

• Proximity to other fixed play provision;

• Availability of Council/publicly owned land nearby;

• Safe and easy access for users – good footpaths, greenways etc. so children can walk to the play area;

• Opportunities for partnership working, e.g. by partnering with schools to enable community use of school play facilities;

• Links to tourism and economic development objectives; and

• Preference to be given where new play park would replace two or more existing play areas.

Action Plan

THEME 1: Play Space for All

Play spaces will be available for children and young people across the borough, in line with the outcomes of the community plan. Investment in play space will be evidence led. Key decision makers will be aware of the benefits of investing in play and its potential to contribute to their aims and objectives.

THEME 1: Play Space for All

Objectives Actions Responsible Department Dates

1.1 Audit of play facilities and potential play spaces. Play audit completed including mapping of play facilities against demographics.

Investing in new or refurbished play space in areas with deficiencies. Play Development 2019

Parks and Open Spaces Development Team 2019 - 2023

Identification of unused/vacant space. Consider how best such space could be utilised including legal and financial implications and community engagement. Parks and Open Spaces team working with Council’s Planning Department 2019 - 2023

Ongoing ‘Out to Play’ consultation. Develop and establish a means of involving children and young people in the design and development of play spaces. Play Development 2019 - 2023

Create play facilities and play spaces that balance the need to offer risk in order to maintain interest with the need to keep children safe from harm. Parks and Open Spaces Development Team 2019 - 2023

To ensure that each major site has inclusive equipment and can be used by all abilities.. Parks and Open Spaces Development Team 2019 - 2023 Objectives Actions Responsible Department Dates

Explore funding opportunities for any identified gaps in the provision.

Non-Fixed play opportunities developed for areas where gaps in the provision are identified. Parks and Open Spaces Development Team 2019 - 2023

Play Development 2019 - 2023

1.2 To raise awareness of play facilities across the borough, both fixed and non-fixed. Database of play provision shared with key stakeholders.

Online presence - council website, social media.

Annual programme of events. Play Development 2019 - 2023

Play Development 2019 - 2023

Play Development 2019 - 2023

Pop Up Play events in smaller open spaces and village greens. Play Development 2019 - 2023

1.3 To provide a range of high quality accessible play space and facilities across the borough. Provision of high quality, accessible space and facilities to meet the needs of all ages and abilities.

Liaise with MEA Planning Department to ensure adherence to PPS 8 or the new LDP policies when adopted.

Liaise with landowner/ developers in relation to securing open spaces in advance of any future residential developments. Parks and Open Spaces Development Team

Parks and Open Spaces Development Team

Planning Department and Parks and Open Spaces 2019 - 2023

2019 - 2023

2019 - 2023

THEME 1: Play Space for All (Cont.)

Objectives Actions Responsible Department Dates

Regular maintenance of play facilities and review inspection procedures to ensure regime is appropriate.

Monitor changes and developments to play spaces.

To engage with schools to explore extended community use of their facilities. Play Development 2019 - 2023

Parks and Open Spaces Development Team 2019 - 2023

Play Development 2019 - 2023

1.4 To maximise use of the borough’s play facilities - fixed and non-fixed play Develop age appropriate activities and events to encourage participation of children and young people.

Engage with the local community on their needs.

Annual programme of events. Play Development 2019 - 2023

Play Development 2019 - 2023

Play Development 2019 - 2023

Engage schools, youth clubs and other community groups. Play Development 2019 - 2023

1.5 Support efforts to enhance open spaces to promote quality play opportunities. Support the Field’s in Trust initiative and planning policy to protect open spaces from development.

Development of community play pods and play rangers via training Parks and Open Spaces Development Team 2019 - 2023

Play Development 2019 - 2023 Objectives Actions Responsible Department Dates

Engage with children, young people and their families seeking and valuing their views and opinions about play opportunities and their needs in their areas.

Intergenerational Environmental Activities – such as horticulture and tree planting.

Biodiversity events – learning about biodiversity and enjoying nature first hand via an annual programme of events.

Support allotment development across the borough via play activities. Play Development 2019 - 2023

Parks and Open Spaces Team 2019 - 2023

Parks and Open Spaces Development Team 2019 -2023

Play Development 2019 - 2023

Biodiversity Summer Scheme – a free outdoor events programme, which gives families the opportunity to take part in biodiversity projects. Parks and Open Spaces Development Team

Love Parks Week – encourages people to come together and enjoy a week of fun activities in our parks and green spaces.

‘Friends of’ volunteer groups meeting in Parks and Open spaces to complete a wide range tasks.

Support the Green Flag Award Scheme across the borough. Parks and Open Spaces Development Team

Parks and Open Spaces Development Team

Parks and Open Spaces Development Team 2019 - 2023

2019 - 2023

2019 - 2023

2019 - 2023

Support Forest Schools Programme. Parks and Open Spaces Development Team

Support schools growing clubs programme. Parks and Open Spaces Development Team 2019 - 2023

2019 - 2023