Focus on play
May 2020
Re-opening parks, play areas and open spaces for children’s play This briefing provides information and guidance for parks and open space officers and playground managers. It sets out some of the factors for consideration when decisions are being made regarding which spaces will be available and promoted for play and ensuring sufficiency of play opportunities. We recognise that under the current circumstances, little remains constant and we will update this briefing as and when new information becomes available. In the response to coronavirus, there has been a necessary focus on work, shopping and exercise as essential activities. For children, there has also been an emphasis on continuing their education, as far as possible. However, playing should also be seen as essential activity. It is fundamental to children’s well-being, resilience1, and development and it is mostly how they exercise.
Easing of lockdown Prior to the closure of schools and childcare to the majority of children in Wales, many local authorities and other playground managers took the decision to close play areas and limit or close access to parks and recreation spaces. In its document, Unlocking our society and economy: continuing the conversation2, published on 15 May 2020, Welsh Government outlines a traffic light system for guiding Wales out of lockdown. This makes it very clear that, even at the ‘green’ level of lockdown easement, the legal requirement
About Play Wales Play Wales is the national charity for children’s play. We work to raise awareness of children and teenagers’ need and right to play and to promote good practice at every level of decision making and in every place where children might play. We worked closely with Welsh Government on its groundbreaking ‘Play Sufficiency’ legislation. Section 11 of the Children and Families (Wales) Measure 2010 places a duty on local authorities to assess and secure sufficient play opportunities for children in their area.