Playbuilder Projects
What is the Playbuilder project?
The Department for Children, Schools and Families has pledged to
invest £235m nationwide in transforming local areas for innovative
and adventurous play. This forms a major part of the national play
strategy, 'Fair Play', launched in April 2008.
Hertfordshire will get £1.2m investment in play following a
successful bid by the County Council and District partners. The
funding will create 22 innovative play areas across the County
which are aimed at children aged 8 to 13 yrs, and of
these, three sites are within the Borough of Broxbourne.
Playbuilder projects must aim to offer outdoor play and make the
most of the natural environment and landscape. Designs will feature
such elements as tunnels and mounds, wooded areas and dens, to
provide natural free play for children. Improved play spaces will
be planned through local consultation with the community and we
will engage with partners such as extended schools, childrens
centres and local schools.
There are 10 key principles for all Playbuilder projects. They
must
- Be designed for the site
- Be well located
- Make use of natural elements
- Provide a wide range of play experience
- Be accessible to both disabled and able-bodied children
- Be able to meet community needs
- Have an element of flexibility built into the layout
- Build in the opportunity to take risks and challenges
- Be sustainable and appropriately maintained
- Allow for change and evolution
Broxbourne Playbuilder Projects
The Borough of Broxbourne has successfully applied for funding
for three sites within the Borough. These are Holmesdale
Tunnel (in conjunction with Enfield Council), Pitfield Open Space
within the 100 Acre Estate, and Station Road,
Broxbourne. Broxbourne's projects are to be completed by March
2010. The recent Community Services "Age of Play" project in Old
Highway Park, Hoddesdon, illustrates the design principles
of natural play and the Community engagement ethos which will
be promoted through the new Playbuilder projects.