Improved Play Areas

This summer, children will have access to more than 530 play sites that have opened since last year in 63 local authorities. Three thousand more are due to be opened across England by 2011 as part of the roll out of the £235 million play investment announced in the flagship Children’s Plan.

Children’s Minister, Dawn Primarolo said: “I am delighted that so many children will have access to new and improved play areas for their summer holidays. My Department is proud to support Playday as it provides a great opportunity for us all to have fun and celebrate play. The ability to play safely and independently is one of the defining characteristics of a good childhood.

“Play is first and foremost to help children have fun, but it can also keep them happy and healthy and allow them to develop and achieve their full potential. Today we are urging all families to ‘Make time for play’ on national Playday.”

Ministers also released today a regional breakdown of what each local authority, working with local partners and communities, is expected to deliver by 2011.

Dawn Primarolo continued: “We have released this information to make families aware of the number of play sites coming to their area over the next couple of years. Local authorities and play associations are working really hard to deliver some excellent play opportunities across the country. It is really exciting to think that by 2011 as many as 1.5 million children could have access to new and improved play areas.”

Director of Play England, Adrian Voce said: “For this year's Playday we are asking everyone to think about how to make more time for play. Parents and children have told us how important it is that there are free local play spaces to enjoy, especially when finances are tight, and so we are delighted that the government's much needed programme is going so well, and proud to play our part in making it a success.”

For a list of new play spaces visit www.dcsf.gov.uk/play