A new report by the body responsible for advising the Government onpublic space, the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment(CABE), urges councils to be 'creative and brave' in developing theGovernment's 235 million Play Strategy, which aims to develop3,500 play areas over the next three years (News, 9 April).
In June, the Government chose 20 pathfinders and 43 'playbuilders' to bethe first local authorities to receive their funding allocations (News,19 June).
Sarah Gaventa, director of CABE Space, said, 'It's a huge investment andit is essential that local authorities use it to create exciting newspaces.'
She added, 'We must all stop obsessing about risk and trying to wrap ourchildren in cotton wool, and instead create spaces that allow them touse their imaginations freely.'
The report said it was vital that local authorities planned for playprovision and considered ways of making public spaces morechild-friendly with a range of accessible play areas.
It recommends that play workers should consult with planners and parkmanagers in designing play strategies locally. It also calls forchildren's views to be at the heart of the process.
The report highlights the importance of using the natural environment tocreate more imaginative play by including elements such as logs, sand,stones and mud. It said local authorities should take a more 'holistic,imaginative and collaborative approach' to play space to enable aradical shift from the 'KFC' approach.
Download Designing and planning for play: public space lessons atwww.cabe.org.uk.
