Background Who is it for? The Developing and managing play spaces toolkit has been designed for anyone who takes responsibility for managing or developing a play space in a community. This may be community councils, local play associations or a residents group. By ‘play space’ we mean a space that has been created with the intention of supporting children’s play. This includes dedicated play areas, specifically provided for play, as well as other playable public spaces – spaces that have other functions in addition to play but incorporate playful features to also encourage playing.
Why has it been developed? Developing and managing play spaces is intended to provide a single source of support and signposting for community groups to navigate some of the challenges of managing or developing a play space. In doing so, it aims to support people in creating and maintaining more and better designed community spaces, thereby improving children’s opportunities for play. This is the fourth edition of the toolkit, which was reviewed in 2020 to ensure the information is relevant and up to date. The toolkit was originally developed by Play Wales as part of a project to improve play spaces, working with the Community Foundation in Wales and the Big Lottery’s Fair Share Panel on Ynys Môn.
How do I use it? This toolkit has two sections: DESIGN – focuses on new play space design and includes topics such as participation, procurement, design and risk management (often also referred to as ‘health and safety’).
4 | Developing and managing play spaces
MANAGEMENT – focuses on the mechanics of managing an existing or newly built play space and includes topics such as maintenance and inspection, risk management* and insurance. * Risk management is a reoccurring theme in both sections of the toolkit. Children’s play necessarily involves opportunities to experience risk and challenge and risk management is therefore an essential part of designing and managing play spaces. The toolkit aims to dispel some of the myths associated with risk management and sets out practical ways of developing a balanced approach to health and safety. See page 8 for an overview of the various stages in the design and management sections, which will help with navigating this toolkit.
What is it designed to do? This toolkit is designed to provide clear and concise information on the main themes under the following headings: Guidance – is a specific piece of information intended to help understand a particular aspect of play space management or development. Tools – are practical, step-by-step guides or templates for conducting a piece of work linked to managing and developing play spaces.
Signposting – Provides direction to further sources of support: organisations, internet resources, downloadable resources or publications. Further information will be provided in coloured boxes like this one.
Myth-buster Classic play space myths will be addressed in boxes like this one.
