4.4 Play areas

MUST

All areas of play should be designed as fully inclusive and engaging spaces with a range of multi-sensory and accessible play features. They should include designs and equipment suitable for those living with disability, which may include:

Ramps and mounds;
Sensory boards and music panels;
Ground level roundabouts;
Bounce pads; and
Seesaws (with back panels).

Well overlooked play areas, Saighton Camp image

Fig 4.21 Play areas overlooked by homes at Saighton Camp, Chester.

MUST

Play areas must not be located adjacent to railway lines or existing streets with heavy traffic and high pollution.

MUST

All entrances and internal routes within play areas must be step-free and accessible to all.

No connection to the play ground_Saighton camp image

Fig 4.22 An example of a poorly connected play area where the footpath stops short of its entrance. This area is likely to become muddy and inaccessible.

SHOULD

Play equipment should be made from durable, natural materials (e.g. with a lifespan of over 10 years). Where possible, landscape features such as mounds or play logs should be included within provision of play equipment.

Natural play equipment, Cuddington and Graven Hill image

Fig 4.23 Example of natural play equipment Cuddington, Cheshire (left) and Graven Hill, Oxfordshire (right).

COULD

Where school or community facilities are to be delivered on site, (or a development provides a means of access to them), traffic free 'play streets' or 'play corridors' could be created to support play on the way.

Play Streets, Norwhich and Richmond image

Fig 4.24 "Play on the way" routes at Goldsmith Street, Norwich (left), and Richmond (right) (Credit: Meristem).

Fig 4.25 A play street, at Marmalade Lane, Cambridge.

COULD

As an alternative to formal play, 'trim trails' and 'play trails' could be used to support activity and play for all ages.

Village green_with public building-01 image

Fig 4.26 A play area located within a small village green, well-overlooked by several homes