PLAYLINK / Free Play Network

Children choose play spaces

Isn't it true to say that places that children will choose to play in are not always designated areas but in their own imaginative places that they are interested in. Designated play spaces have their own purpose and many different designs and themes for these will be appropriate for the different area that they are in. Flexibility is key to a good play space. Natural play spaces are my preferred version in most instances although this could come in many guises - a field with trees and ditches are for some children the best play space they could be in.
Children will find a place that they will want to play even if it is just a puddle on the floor.
Posted by: N Evans, Children and Young People's Participation Officer, Cambridge City Council, -1 June 2020, 2-:11

I agree entirely with the comments re: developing places for children and young people to be heard as well seen and for them to be encouraged to inhabit.
An exciting natural space that gives a chance for children to play in nature is really lacking generally and children are missing out on forming a relationship with the natural environment. Places that offer water/streams, hills to roll down, bush to explore,make dens, trees to climb and take risks etc.
I would want to see more use of natural materials and developing spaces for mixing and socialising as well as fun. Not plastic coated brightly coloured bars on towers that make children queue to have a turn on a plastic slide. How uninspiring is that!!
Posted by: Faith Bennett, Development and Scheme Support Worker, Bristol Association Neighbourhood Daycare Ltd, -1 June 2020, 2-:11

Yes, it is true is the brief answer. There's a step further to take, it seems to me: when thinking about/planning for places for play we should start from the position that children and young people need to be seen and heard - and therefore be able to play and congregate - in shared public space. If we start there, we shall be starting in the right place and facing in the right direction. This conceptual framework (if that's not too pretentious a way of putting it) creates the context for making judgments about whether we need in a particular situation designated play space, and if we do, of what it should comprise.

Posted by: Benard Spiegal, Principal, PLAYLINK, -1 June 2020, 2-:04