play strategy - play area action plan 2011-2016

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Play Strategy Play Area Action Plan 2011-2016

Policy and Strategy Committee

09 August 2011

1 Purpose of report

1.1 This report seeks to discharge the motion from Councillor Buchan at Culture &Leisure Committee on 3 February 2009 which called for the development of aPlay Park Strategy to improve existing facilities and to identify newopportunities for future facilities across the City.

1.2 Appended to the report is a draft Play Area Action Plan which shows how playfacilities will be developed across the city over the next 5 years. Approval of theCommittee to release this for public consultation is now sought.

2 Summary

2.1 Play is an important factor in the mental, physical and social development ofchildren and young people. Play can happen almost anywhere, but play areashave a special role in providing a fun, socially interactive and challengingenvironment where risk is controlled. The Councils aims in relation to play areset out in the Play Strategy, approved in 2009.

2.2 Edinburgh has 193 Council-owned play areas and ball courts, plus 31 privately-owned, publicly accessible play areas. The useful life expectancy of playequipment is 10 to 12 years, and the cost of providing a new play area whichscores in the good category is about 80,000. Of the 193 play areas, 19 are20 to 25 years old, and a further 51 are between 13 and 19 years old.

2.3 Investment is required to maintain even a standstill position. In 2010-11250,000 was allocated in the capital investment programme for play areas. Atpresent in a time of greatly reduced availability of capital funds, deteriorationexceeds investment by a substantial amount. In the current year capital fundswill be allocated from the overall Parks & Greenspace programme to enable theprogramme to continue. In previous years, play was identified separately in thecapital programme.

2.4 The Open Space Strategy approved in September 2010 sets standards for theprovision of play areas, as it was obliged to do by Scottish Planning Policy.

Whilst it may not be possible to meet this standard for every part of the city, it ispossible to increase the proportion of the city which meets the standard, and forthis to be done in an affordable way.

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PS/11/11-12/SfC


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3 Main report

3.1 On 13 January 2009 the Education, Children and Families Committeeapproved Play in Partnership A Play Strategy for the City of Edinburgh. Itset out this vision:

Edinburgh will be a child friendly city where all children and youngpeople have access to play opportunities in a range of differentsettings which offer variety, adventure and challenges. They willbe able to play freely and safely and make choices about where,how and when they play.

3.2 The Councils strategic direction on play has been set out in the Play inPartnership document. The Open Space Strategy (OSS) sets out standards forplay area provision. The Play Area Action Plan prioritises investment andmaintenance input for the next 5 years to ensure that the aims of the twostrategies are met as far as possible. In view of the current budgetary position itis critically important that spend on play areas is targeted where it can do mostgood.

3.3 The Open Space Strategy (2010) and Play Strategy (2009) have been placedin group rooms for viewing.

3.4 The OSS included a section on childrens play which:

Contains an audit of all known play areas in the city

Assesses each play area in terms of its age-group provision, age and playvalue

Contains a spatial analysis of access to existing play spaces

Provides a policy basis for directing developer contributions to investment inplay areas

Sets a standard for play provision using consultation responses:Play Access Standard: All house and flats should have access to at leastone of the following:

A play space of good play value within 800m walking distance

A play space of very good value within 1,200 m walking distance

A play space of excellent play value within 2,000m direct distance

3.5 The quality of all play areas was assessed so as to give a score whichestimates play value. The OSS sets out what good, very good andexcellent comprise on the basis of Play Value scores as follows:

Excellent: 101 +Very good: 71 100Good: 51 70

Any play area scoring less than 50 would be regarded as Fair. Play value

scores are measured by assessing the quality and variety of play opportunitiespresent on the site using the National Playing Fields Association PlaySafe 2000system. Play value points are based on provision for children and young


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people aged 0-6, 6-8, 8-14 and site factors. The scoring system is described indetail in section 5.2 of Appendix 1.

3.6 The evidence which was used to create the standard was obtained fromconsultation with children and young people. In summary the consultationdemonstrated that users of play areas were prepared to travel further than waspreviously thought in order to get to good quality play areas, and that it was thehighest quality play areas (such as the Magnet Play area in the East Meadows)which encouraged users to travel further and stay longer.

3.7 The Play Area Action Plan contains policies that will help to direct the design ofplay areas towards best practice, and includes sections on lighting, the use offencing and natural play. It also includes a brief history of the development ofplay areas in Edinburgh at Appendix 2 of the Action Plan.

3.8 The proposals are set out in Appendix 1. This list comprises all publiclyaccessible play areas in Edinburgh, and includes both council-owned andprivately-owned equipment. Each play area has been scored for play value asdescribed in the Action Plan, and when a network analysis is done, it ispossible to represent graphically what proportion of homes in Edinburgh haveaccessibility to play areas in line with the standard adopted in the OSS (asdescribed in paragraph 3.4). This plan is shown in Figure 1 of the Action Plan.Currently the standard is met for 67% of households in the city.

3.9 Priority has been given to improving the quality of play in areas of the citywhere the standard is currently not met. Proposals are therefore to upgradeexisting play areas so that their play value score reaches the good or very goodstandard. There are a limited number of sites where it is appropriate to site newplay areas, but the Action Plan will assist in identifying when developercontributions should be sought where new developments arise, and gives anindication of what quality of play area is required and the costs.

3.10 Some parts of the City have a legacy in the form of relatively large numbers ofclosely-spaced, low-value play areas, which although maintained in a safecondition, do not make a contribution to meeting the play area standard. TheAction Plan proposes that where low value play areas have exceeded theiruseful life-span, and where they do not assist in meeting the standard, thatthese should be phased out. Investment will be directed to areas where there is

an identified deficiency in play facilities so that the overall the quality of playprovision will improve across the city. Getting the right balance on quality playprovision on a city wide basis and more locally on a neighbourhood basis isone of the issues where views are being sought.

3.11 The proposals for the development of play areas through improving existingprovision and the emphasis on quality rather than quantity are key issueswhere feedback from the public is sought.

3.12 In 2006 Play Scotland undertook a Play Audit titled Scottish Local AuthoritiesPublic Play Areas Audit 2006. The research looked at play area numbers and

population, and concluded that the City of Edinburgh Council had significantlyfewer play areas per head of population, compared with other local authorities.


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3.13 However a key factor of the report was that it was a benchmarking exercisebased on data collation only and did not interpret differences between councils,nor did it take size or quality of play areas into consideration. The Councilsown consultations with play area users suggest strongly that quality is a moreimportant motivating factor for users than locality or proximity. Recentconsultations with members of Edinburghs Youth Forum have confirmed thisfinding. Edinburghs play areas have now all been scored for quality, which fewother councils have yet done.

3.14 Map 2 of Appendix 1 shows the effect of implementing the 5-year Action Planproposals on the play area access standard. The proportion of homes thatwould now benefit from being within the standard increases from 67% to 80%.Given the constraints on the availability of potential sites for play areas in somelocalities, such as inter-war housing development where there is little publicspace, allied with the current public spending position it is suggested that this isa very reasonable outcome.

3.15 Play areas have also been constructed in recent years on Housing RevenueAccount (HRA) land funded through the Neighbourhood EnvironmentProgramme (NEPS). Play areas have also been constructed in private housingdevelopments, usually as a planning condition.

3.16 The maintenance of play areas is currently shared between Parks andGreenspace and Neighbourhood Task Forces. The role of inspection andrepair is undertaken by Parks and Greenspace, who assume an overview ofplay areas and maintenance standards. Day-to-day maintenance, whichconsists of litter picking, the emptying of litter bins, cleansing of safe surfacesand the regulation of wood chip and sand bases is carried out byNeighbourhood Task Forces.

3.17 Over the past two years, maintenance efforts have been prioritised and co-ordinated through the Fit for Play project initiated by Services forCommunities, which aims to raise the standard of maintenance. Fit for Playidentified all maintenance tasks and assigned responsible staff. It has beenuseful in directing effort towards deficiencies identified in the annual externalinspection programme which the Council is obliged to have done. In recentyears this has recorded improvements in maintenance performance.

3.18 It is proposed to have a public consultation on the draft Action Plan runningduring September - October 2011 (some of the issues on which views arebeing sought are outlined at the beginning of the document). The draft Plan willbe made available on the web and published in a hard copy which will bemailed out to an extensive list of consultees including community, tenant andcivic groups, parent-child groups, schools, and parks friends groups. This willinclude those who took part in the play consultation in the development of theOpen Space Strategy. The views of Neighbourhood Partnerships will also besought. It is proposed to use social media such as Facebook to engage withchildren and young people.


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4 Financial Implications

4.1 Current budgetary constraints mean that the programme set out in the PlayAction Plan has been carefully tailored so as to be realistic and achievable.There is a general expectation that the Council should provide play facilitieswhich are safe, fit for purpose and meet current industry standards, andrecognition that like all assets, they deteriorate over time in the absence ofinvestment.

4.2 The day-to-day maintenance of play areas equipment is funded from thegeneral service revenue budget and whilst current revenue budget provision isrelatively modest, the targets set in the Action Plan can be achieved withoutincreasing budgets beyond their current level.

4.3 There has been an ongoing capital investment programme for Play Areas forsome years, although the budget available has varied from year to year.Appendix 2 is a table indicating the projects achieved in the period 2005 to2011, the costs, and how these were funded. In recent years, partnershipworking and focus on securing external grant funding has yielded significantadditional funds. In 2005-6 and 2006-7 the Council funded the play capitalprogramme entirely and there was no external grant aid. In the years 2007-8,2008-9, 2009-10 and 2010-11 external grant aid was successfully gained andthis made up 31% of the total spend over this period. In recent years thereforefor every two pounds spent by the Council, almost one pound has beensecured from external sources. The Waste Recycling Environment Network(WREN) have provided substantial grant aid, and recently other landfill taxdistributors such as Biffa have also indicated willingness to make financial

contributions to play projects.

4.4 The renewal of most play areas is funded from general service capital budgets.To achieve the targets set out in the action plan, funds will be prioritised fromwithin the existing departmental capital programme. Grant support andpartnership working will provide additional funding, and this will be enhanced bythe forward planning the action plan promotes.

4.5 The total cost of the proposed Action Plan programme is estimated to be1,634,000 of which it is estimated that about 500,000 can be secured fromexternal grant aid sources such as landfill tax distributors and Section 75

contributions. Based on current capital resource assumptions the balance of1,113,000 will be contained within SfCs capital programme over 5 years.Neighbourhood Partnerships have also invested in play provision via theNeighbourhood Environment Programme (NEP). Consultation will take placewith Neighbourhood Partnerships on how any future NEP investment can beused to support the Play Area Action Plan.

5 Equalities Impact

5.1 The action plan described above aims to achieve a positive impact on thequality of life for users of the citys play areas by improving their value and

increasing the proportion of residents for whom the standard set out in the citysOpen Space Strategy is met. The planned consultation with stakeholders isdesigned to keep them informed of progress.


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5.2 The reports contents and recommendations are of some relevance to thepublic sector equality duty of the Equality Act 2010 and once implemented thePlay Area Action Plan should result in a positive impact on quality of life. Forthese reasons, the overall equalities relevance score is 3 (out of a possible 9).A full Equalities Impact Assessment was not required.

6 Environmental Impact

5.1 Attractive and well-maintained play areas enhance the spaces that they occupyand may provide the stimulus for children, young people and carers to enjoythe public spaces around them. Poorly maintained equipment can have adetrimental effect on the appearance of neighbourhoods.

6 Conclusions

6.1 Continuous renewal of the Citys play areas is required. The draft Play AreaAction Plan sets out how the funds available should be prioritised in order toachieve the aims of the Citys Play Strategy and the standards for access toplay areas set out in the Open Space Strategy.

7 Recommendations

7.1 Committee is requested to:

a) approve the draft Play Action Plan for public consultation, and;

b) note that following consultation a further report will be presented.

c) discharge the motion from Councillor Buchan at Culture & LeisureCommittee on 3 February 2009.

Mark TurleyDirector, Services for Communities


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Appendices 1 Draft Play Area Action Plan2 Play Capital Projects 2005-2011

Contact/tel/Email Keith Logie, Parks Development Manager tel: 0131 529 7916 e-mail:[email protected]

Wards affected City-wide

Single OutcomeAgreement

National Outcome (4) - Our young people are successfullearners, confident individuals, effective contributors and responsiblecitizens.National Outcome (6) - We live longer, healthier lives.

National Outcome (10) - We live in well designed, sustainable placeswhere we are able to access the amenities and services we need.National Outcome (12) - We value and enjoy our built and naturalenvironment and protect it and enhance it for future generations.National Outcome (15) - Our public services are high quality,continually improving, efficient and responsive to peoples needs.

BackgroundPapers

The Open Space Strategy (2010) and Play Strategy (2009) have beenplaced in group rooms.


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Play Area Action Plan 1

Play Area Action PlanAugust 2011

Draft Report for Public Consultation


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Play Area Action Plan


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Play Area Action Plan3

Contents

1.0 Introduction

2.0 Aims of the strategy

3.0 Strategic context

4.0 Play standards

5.0 Audit and proposals 2011-2016

6.0 Design and maintenance policy

Appendix 1 History of play area provision

Appendix 2 Detailed list of play areas and proposals

Comments can be submitted in writing to:Play Action Plan consultationParks & GreenspaceLevel C:3, Waverley Court4 East Market Street

Edinburgh EH8 8BG

Or by e-mail to:(to be nalised)

The Play Area Action Plan is on Facebook at:(to be nalised)

Please ensure comments are returned by (to be nalised)


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Public consultation questions and contact details

These questions are intended as a guide, and you may wish to make comments on other aspects of this draftdocument. Bear in mind that some things, such as the Play Access Standard and the Play Strategy, wereapproved by the Council some time ago.

Do you have general comments on the Action Plan?1.

Is the audit complete and accurate? Do you know of any play area (not sports facility) that isnt on2.the list?

Do you support the draft policies (P1 P6) in section 6?3.

Do you support the phasing out of older play areas at the end of their life, and not to replace them if4.the standard is already met in the locality?

Do you think the balance between smaller local play areas and larger, more distant play facilities is5.right?

Do you think that the Action Plan will result in a fair distribution of play provision in terms of both6.quality and accessibility?

Public consultation questions and contact details


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1.1 The purpose of this Play Area Action Plan is toguide the improvement of existing play areafacilities and to identify new opportunitiesfor future facilities across the City. This draftdocument has been prepared by the Council andis intended for public consultation.

1.2 This document sits under the City of Edinburgh

Council Play Strategy, which was approved byCouncil in 2009. The Play Strategy sets out avision and aims for development of play forchildren and young people and sets the contextfor this document.

1.3 It relates closely to the City of Edinburgh OpenSpace Strategy, which was approved by Councilin September 2010, and which sets out standardsfor the provision of play areas across the city.

1.4 Having set the development of play areas incontext, and in recognition of the nancialstrictures facing public authorities, the draftAction Plan sets out proposals designed todeliver the aims set out in the Play Strategy andfulll as far as possible the standards set out inthe Open Space Strategy.

1.5 In this document, where the term children isused, it applies to children and young peopleaged 0-16 years of age.

1.6 The views of the widest range of stakeholdersare actively sought on the draft policies andproposals set out in sections 5 and 6 and inAppendix 2.

1.0 Introduction


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Picks up and references the aims and vision set out1.in the Play Strategy (2001, 2009)

Provides the historical context and trends in2.provision and demand.

Sets out a vision for future play area provision.3.

Prioritises future investment taking cognisance of4.the current budgetary position.

Set out policy on detailed issues such as risk,5.dealing with customer requests, inclusion offencing and lighting, maintenance and duty of care.

Proposes a detailed corporate action plan for6.refurbishment, replacement, removal or creation ofnew play areas designed to meet the standard setout in the OSS.

Provides a robust and detailed basis for securing7.and directing developer contributions to play areaprovision.

Sets out how unequipped play spaces, homezones,8.privately owned play areas and schools will betreated in terms of city-wide playprovision.

Acts as an advocacy document for investment in9.and maintenance of play areas.

2.0 Aims of the Play Area Action Plan


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3.1 Play in partnership: A play strategy for the Cityof Edinburgh (OSS)

Vision statement

Edinburgh will be a child-friendly citywhere all children and young people haveaccess to play opportunities in a rangeof different settings which offer variety,adventure and challenges. They will be ableto play freely and safely and make choicesabout where, how and when they play.

3.2 Underpinning principles and values

Play is a fundamental right for every child.1.

Play is an activity which is valued in its own2.right. It is about the fun and satisfaction of the

participant and benets children, young people,families and communities.

Play is a valued activity through which children3.and young people can express and manage theirfeelings, make new friends, acquire new skillsand gain an understanding of the world aroundthem.

Every child and young person in Edinburgh4.should be able to access free-play opportunitiesand play facilities which are accessible,affordable, culturally sensitive and relevant totheir needs and play aspirations.

Children and young people in Edinburgh have5.the right to well-maintained, quality playenvironments which provide stimulation andchallenge relevant to their age.

The views, opinions and experience of children6.and young people should be central to thedevelopment of play policies and especially

the planning and design of the environments inwhich they play.

3.0 Strategic context


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3.3 Aims of the Play Strategy

Outcome 1: Children are more physically active,emotionally resilient and are able to experience, judgeand manage risk.

Outcome 2: The importance and value of play isunderstood and recognised by staff, parents andcarers and in communities.

Outcome 3: Good quality and varied play spaces

are widely available to children and young people inEdinburgh.

Outcome 4: Play activities for children and youngpeople in Edinburgh are delivered by staff who haverelevant training and qualications, and who adhere tothe Principles of Playwork.

3.4 Rights of the child

Article 31 of the United Nations Convention

on the Rights of the Child:States Parties recognise the right of the

child to rest and leisure, to engage in play

and recreational activities appropriate to

the age of the child and participate freely in

cultural life and arts.

3.5 National strategic context

Play and health professionals have reportedto the Scottish Government on the valueand long term benets of play for childrensphysical health and developing resilience andmental well being. The Early Years Framework,produced jointly by the Scottish Governmentand COSLA, published in December 2008 listsimproving outcomes and childrens quality oflife through play as one of the 10 elements

of transformational change. The Frameworkdocument highlights the entitlement of childrento participate in challenging outdoor play andrecommends equipping children to experience,judge and manage risk as a priority. Ministerialstatements recognise the importance of play asan integral part of our childrens development.


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The Open Space Strategy (OSS) approved by theCouncil in September 2010 included a section onchildrens play which:

Contains an audit of all known play areas in the city

Assesses each play area in terms of its age-groupprovision, age and play value

Contains a spatial analysis of access to existing

play spaces.

Provides a policy basis for directing developercontributions to investment in play areas.

Sets a standard for play provision usingconsultation responses:

Play Space Access Standard

Houses and ats should have access to at least oneof the following:

a play space of good play value within 800metres walking distance

a play space of very good play value within 1,200metres walking distance or

a play space of excellent play value within 2,000metres direct distance.

The OSS sets out what good, very good andexcellent comprise on the basis of Play Value scoresas follows:

Excellent: 101 +Very good: 71 100Good: 51 70

Any play area scoring less than 50 would be regardedas Fair, but these have no impact in meeting the playaccess standard.

Consultations carried out during the developmentof the Open Space Strategy suggested strongly thatchildren and young people travel longer distancesto get to preferred play areas than was previouslythought, and that quality was the main factor in choiceof location. Users often bypassed closer play facilitiesthat were less attractive. Further information gainedfrom focus groups made up of children and youngpeople at the Youth Forum on 25 March 2011 conrmsthis trend.

Section 5.2 describes the play value scoring systemand how it is applied.

4.0 Play standards


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0 Play Area Action Plan

5.1 Audit of play areas

Attached at Appendix 1 is a list of all publiclyaccessible play areas in the City of Edinburgh Councilarea. This includes all Council-owned play areas,ball courts and wheels areas, where these havebeen assessed. It also includes privately-owned playareas (denoted by italics). Although the Council isnot generally able to inuence their maintenance or

development, where their presence assists in meetingthe play standard, they have been included in theassessment.

Map 1 shows the distribution of the citys play areas.Light grey parts of the city are those where the PlayAccess Standard is met, and those in dark grey arehomes falling outwith the standard.

The tabulated data is arranged by ward and includesthe name and location, the type of equipment, itsinstallation date and the play value score. Theseare arranged in order of play value, starting withthe highest in each ward. For each Council-ownedentry there is a brief proposal on what action will betaken over the next 5 years, a costing and a proposedyear for action. In many cases, the action is simplyto continue to maintain and no major change isenvisaged.

In some cases, the proposed action may be to investin the play area to bring its score up into the Goodrange, thereby impacting positively on the number ofhomes meeting the play standard. In a few cases, theproposal is to remove play areas when they are at theend of their useful life, and not replace them. This is

5.0 Audit and draft proposals

because the locality is already well served with playareas, and the presence of further low-quality playareas is difcult to defend.

A budget cost estimate is provided against eachproposal. These are not detailed cost estimates basedon a design, but indications of likely costs based onrecent experience of the costs of installing similar

play areas in Edinburgh. This should be sufcientlyaccurate for budgetary purposes. There are costsassociated with the decommissioning of play areas,and these are estimated in the proposed programme.

Map 2 shows the distribution of the citys play areasafter the 5 year programme has been implemented.The proportion of homes falling within the standardhas increased from 67% in 2011 to 80% in 2016.


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Play Provision March 2016 after implementation of the 5 year Play Action Plan


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5.2 How is play value assessed?

Play value scores are arrived at by assessing thequality and variety of play opportunities present onsite for children and young people, including thevariety present for different age groups, using theNational Playing Fields Association PlaySafe 2000system.

Play value points are based on provision for childrenand young people aged 0-6, 6-8, 8-14 and site factors.

A point for each age group is awarded for play areaswhich provide:

Balancing Sandpits

Climbing Sand play

Crawling Water play

Gliding Social Play

Group swinging Viewing Platforms

Single swinging Special needs

Jumping Ground GraphicsRotating single/twin Sounding items

Rotating multi user Ball Play Area

Rocking Wheel Play Area

Slide Sliding other

Problem solving / games


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And for site factors (one point for each factor):

Sunny / Shade Overhead Powerline Safety

Sheltered Site Condition

Noise Pollution Informal Adult Supervision

Trafc Pollution Child seating

Ground Contouring Adult seating

Visual Appeal Internal Paths

Environmental Planting Lighting

Shrub / Tree Planting Fencing

Equipment Layout Signs

Vehicle Safety Bins

Water Safety Bicycle Stands

Self Closing Gates Vehicular Gates

Play Challenge item

A toddler facility therefore would be restricted toscores derived only from 0-6 category plus any scores

achieved under site factors.

Play areas which provide a good play range ofequipment for toddlers, juniors and teenagers with aball court score well on this system.

The play value system did not take account of the ageof the play area so we have introduced a reduction of0.5 points of play value for every year of age, after veyears.


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6.1 The current approach to design

The designs are child centred, based onchildrens desires, expectations, how theyplay and what they need to get out of the playexperience. Designs are also governed by theneed to meet the play standard BS EN 1176 Parts1 to 7. The choice of equipment and layout of theplay space needs to allow for inclusion, allowing

as wide a range of children to play together aspossible. The play space must be sustainable,meet consulted needs and not be easilyvandalised.

6.2 Surfaces

Loose Materials: Natural safer surfacing, in theform of woodchip, environmulch and sand allprovide exceedingly good fall properties whenmaintained at the correct depth, with the addedadvantage that they can also be played with.

Synthetic surfaces: Surfaces in the form of

coloured wetpour rubber laid to various fallheights, and synthetic sandlled carpets. Thesetypes of surfaces are initially very expensive toinstall but are easier to keep clean and can addvalue to the play space by introducing colour,ground graphics and games.

Grass safety mats: Grass safety mats are laidonto existing grass areas, with an underlay ofmesh. The tiles are tied together and laid underand around the play equipment to absorb theimpact of falls. Grass grows up through the tilesgiving a natural look while still providing safety.

Choice is informed by the size and type of playarea and the range of equipment to be provided.Dynamic high energy play equipment requires aloose ll safer surface, which provides a greaterdegree of protection in falls and spills. Smallerinner city play spaces are best provided intarmacadam and rubber. They are cleaner andeasier to maintain, as opposed to small areas of

loosell which would be difcult to maintain inplace. Larger play areas similarly would not beprovided with all wetpour rubber surfacing due tothe prohibitive cost of doing so.

Sample costsWoodchip: average cost 10.00 per m sq ongoingmaintenanceWetpour rubber: average cost 80.00 per m sq

6.3 Play and Risk

Play is unusual in that it is one of the few areasthat the Health and Safety Executive haveaccepted that it is desirable to have some degreeof acceptable risk present. Children need andwant to take risks during active play. Qualityplay provision aims to respond to these needsand wishes by offering stimulating, challengingenvironments for exploring and developing theirabilities, striking a balance between the risks andthe benets.This is done through risk assessment which:

Ensures the likelihood of serious injury isextremely low

Makes sure potential hazards are clear

Uses practical ways to manage reasonable risk

6.0 Design and maintenance policies


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6.4 Managing Risk in Play Provision

Lord Young's Cabinet report 'CommonSense Common Safety' (2010) highlights theimportance of children being able to experiencerisk and endorses the use of risk-benetassessment and proposed a review of legislation,due to take place in April 2012, so that playareas will no longer be covered by regulationsdesigned to cover workplaces.

Safety in play provision is not absolute andcannot be addressed in isolation. Play is rstand foremost for children and if it is not excitingand attractive to them it will fail, no matter howsafe it is. Designers, managers and providerswill need to reach compromises in meeting thesesometimes conicting goals. Managing Riskin Play Provision, Play Safety Forum, NationalChildrens Bureau, 2002

. safety must be considered at all stages ofplay provision but inevitably there will be riskof injury when children play, as there is risk ofinjury in life generally. We must not lose sightof the important developmental role of play forchildren in pursuit of the unachievable goal ofabsolute safety. Health and Safety Executive, inManaging Risk in Play Provision, 2002

A risk-benet analysis (a detailed study of the

risks inherent in play areas measured againstthe potential benets to childrens development)should therefore be carried out at the designstage of all new play facilities.

Policy P1

The design of play spaces will adopt risk-benetanalysis as part of the design approach.

6.5 Play Spaces and lighting

The vast majority of play spaces, like parksare not lit. Requests are sometimes made to

the Council to provide articial lighting in playareas, either to enable their use during hours ofdarkness, or in the belief that lighting will makechildren less likely to be injured at times whennatural light levels are lower.The experience of Parks and Greenspace is thatlighting may make a play area more vulnerableto vandalism as teenagers may be more likely tocongregate there after dark. Use after dark canalso cause late-night disturbance, even whenequipment is being used legitimately.


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Parks are generally dark at night except for a fewlit routes, such as those across the Meadows,which provide illumination for footpath surfacesonly. The rest of the park tends to be in darknessand children should not be encouraged intodark parks to access play spaces, particularly inwinter where there may be unseen dangers suchas ice or frozen equipment. Lighting is expensive,requires maintenance and may introduce furtherrisk into the play area if damaged.

Policy P2

Play spaces are intended to be used during daylighthours and lighting will generally not be provided.

6.6 Should fencing and boundaries always beinstalled around play space?

Fencing has often been provided around playareas to prevent children leaving the playarea and so restrict the likelihood of themencountering hazards such as roads or openwater, or wandering off and become separatedfrom carers. In addition, dogs can be prevented

from entering the play space, fouling the surfacesor being out of control around the equipment.

There are, however, benets from not fencingoff every play area. For example, children areencouraged make use of the whole park spacefor play and exploration, and parents mustexercise a greater degree of supervision and maytherefore interact more in the play experience.

In reality, there are recorded instances of gatescausing severe injury to young children, even

when in adequate condition. Gates do notalways close properly, rendering the fence lesseffective, and dogs may gain access though theactions of owners or by leaping over. Fences canalso foster also bullying and territorial behaviour.Funds saved by not erecting fencing can be usedto increase the play value of the area.

Policy P3

Following a risk assessment, there will be apresumption that spaces will only be fenced wherethere is a foreseeable hazard beyond the play spaceor where dogs on site cannot be controlled by othermethods.

6.7 Outdoor Gyms

A number of play manufacturers produce arange of outdoor sports tness equipment.As the equipment is not intended for play it isnot always manufactured to the play standardBSEN 1176 parts 1- 7. Initially some outdoor gym

equipment was poorly designed, with crushingpoints and shearing points and quickly becamedamaged. This has been improved in newdesigns.

The target age group for Outdoor Gyms isadults but as the equipment is provided inunsupervised locations it is impossible to controlwho is interacting with the equipment. It isadvised that Outdoor Gyms should be locatedaway from childrens play spaces, to try anddiscourage use by younger children who may beinjured by trying to use this adult equipment.


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As the outdoor gyms are unsupervised,specialist advice and training in the use of thetness equipment will not be available. Advisorynotices should be displayed along side theequipment as a guide to its correct use.

Policy P4

Only use outdoor gym equipment certied to BSEN1176 parts 1-7 or equivalent standard.

Preferably such equipment should be locatedaway from traditional childrens play spaces andthe design should allow for a surface designed toprevent erosion.

6.8 Natural Play

Children and young people choose to play inmany different types of wild and semi-wild placessuch as pocket parks (small areas of greenspace) verges, school grounds, parks, countryparks, woods, riversides, streams, canals,

beaches and coasts. Research shows that forchildren to derive most benet they need playopportunities which provide a wide range of playexperiences and make use of natural elementsto promote their engagement with the naturalworld.

Nature play in public play areas involvesintroducing elements such as planting, sand,boulders or tree trunks, trees and naturalsurfaces. Play spaces which include naturalfeatures may require different approaches to

maintenance therefore a risk-benet assessmentcan inform decisions relating to the use andmaintenance of grass, sand, bark and othernatural materials or features.

Some of these ideas have been implementedin West Princes Street Gardens. Tree stumpsstripped of bark and smoothed have been usedas an informal "enchanted forest" along with

rocks and ropes and the manipulation of therubber safer surface into small dips and hollows,to enhance the play experience.

Policy P5

Maintenance regimes should be supportive of thebenets provided by natural play.

6.9 Maintenance of play areas

Play equipment requires to be regularlyinspected by suitably qualied staff, and any


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remedial work actioned promptly. The Councilsplay areas are given a full engineering inspectionon a 4 6 week cycle by RoSPA trained staffbased at Inverleith Workshops. These staff carryout engineering maintenance tasks and therepair of rubberised safety surfaces.

In addition to the above cycle of inspections,the Council is required to have all play areasinspected by a properly qualied person

annually.This inspection considers the safety of users inrespect of the equipment and surfaces, and alsoincludes ancillary equipment and facilities suchas fences, bins and paths. Cleanliness of surfaceis also inspected. The inspector may also makerecommendations as to whether play equipmentis nearing the end of its useful life. A writtenreport is submitted to the Council, generally inApril or May each year.

There are a variety of other maintenance taskswhich require to be done on a regular basis inorder to keep play areas functioning in a safe

and effective manner. These tasks are mainlythe responsibility of Task Force teams based inneighbourhoods and consist of

cleansing - removal of litter, broken glass etc;

removal of grafti;

regulation and/or topping up of loosell(wood chip or sand)

removal of weeds

replacement of damaged litter bins

All maintenance tasks for each play area

across the city have been identied, and thestaff member or team responsible for deliveryappointed.The details of the annual external inspectionare passed to the relevant staff to ensure thatremedial works identied are undertaken andany higher-risk factors are addressed.

Policy P6

All play areas will be regularly inspected andmaintained in a safe and clean condition that is tfor purpose.

6.10 Vandalism

Maintenance budgets are in place to deal withgrafti and the mainly minor acts of vandalismthat take place in play areas. In recent yearshowever, equipment costing tens of thousandsof pounds has been destroyed in serious actsof vandalism. This is often due to re-raising,for example at Victoria Park (replacement cost45,000), and Saughton Park, and has resulted

in the total loss of a play area at Liberton Park.Malicious damage has also been done byindividuals using tools such as bolt-cutters,resulting in damage to net play equipment,swings and ying foxes. It is not feasible formajor losses to be made up from maintenance(revenue) budgets, and instead play areas mayneed to be redesigned and built using project(capital) funds. The Councils capital funds arein increasingly short supply, and this may meansubstantial delays in restoring play areas to fullusability.


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Historical context and trends in play

The following is an extract from the 1914 Report onPublic Parks, Gardens and Open Spaces by John W.MHattie, Superintendent of Parks and Gardens

Childrens Playgrounds

Great benet is being derived by providingPlaygrounds for the children, where they can nd

recreation during vacation or after school hours, thus

keeping them from the streets. These Playgrounds

have to be made attractive and so unrestricted as to

give every child a proprietary interest.

School Playgrounds should be thrown open to the

children during the vacation period. Large areas are

not required for Playgrounds, small tracts of waste

land being more suitable. A great deal has been

done of late in this respect, which has been a wise

expenditure of public money

It is not clear from the report how many playgroundsthey had as they seem to make a distinction betweenChildrens Gymnasia and childrens playgrounds, but wewould estimate no more than 25. The preferred surfaceat the time being ash which was also used for tenniscourts. The Gymnasia contained equipment and wereopen for play on Saturdays from October till April. The15 Gymnasia were attended by 2670 children per day.

In the 1970s the city play areas were very basic, withlots of static play equipment such as Jungle Gymclimbing frames, commando arch ladders and talltower slides. Swings were available but were limited.

Some of the more popular sites had the CheeseCutter Swing and rotating metal globes which servedas roundabouts. Equipment was heavy, manufacturedfrom steel and cast iron, and no thought was given atthis time to safer surfaces. Concrete or tarmacadamsurfaces were the preferred play bases. Play budgetswere small with little or no Capital for improvements.

The play standard at this time was BS 5696.

In the mid 1980s questions were being raised aboutplay provision in the city and a pressure group wasformed called concrete action with the aim ofseeking improvements and safety in play areas. At thesame time The Health and Safety Executive in Scotlanddecided improvements in play were required. Our PlayAreas were found to be below the quality expected byHealth and Safety as they did not contain any form ofsafer surface. The Council was faced with the threat ofenforced play area closures, unless steps were takento improve facilities.

Appendix: 1History of play provision in Edinburgh


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This was the catalyst for the rst Capital PlayImprovement Programme, a three year programme ofplay improvements taking play into the early 1990s.From this stage on all new play areas had some form ofsafer surface installed and the range of play equipmentand choice was growing to meet demand. The rstuse of wet pour impact absorbing rubber startedto appear in city play spaces, bringing colour andground graphics and a heightened feel of safety. Since1991 The City Council has approved capital rolling

development programmes to refurbish existing andprovide new play areas through out the city.

The new play standard BS EN 1176 1-7 replaced BS5696 in 1998 bringing with it risk assessments anda tighter standard for play equipment manufactureand management of play areas, to match the growingdemand for safe play areas.In 2006 Play Scotland undertook a Play Audit,Scottish Local Authorities Public Play Areas Audit

2006. The audit looked at play area numbers andpopulation. The research concluded that the Cityof Edinburgh Council had signicantly fewer play

areas per head of population, compared with otherlocal authorities. However a key factor of the reportwas that it was a benchmarking exercise based ondata collation only and did not interpret differencesbetween Councils, nor did it take size or quality of playareas into consideration. In the past local authoritieshave tended to install or adopt large numbers ofsmall play spaces containing one or two pieces oftoddler equipment, which many authorities stillretain. However this type of facility tends to attract ahigh level of complaints and vandalism as they sufferfrom misuse by older children who are not catered

for. It became the policy of theDepartment to remove this typeof play area when they becameunsustainable, and concentrateresources on larger local andneighbourhood play spaces whichcould cater for a wider age range.This resulted in a reduction in thenumber of play areas per head ofpopulation, but an increase in the quality of provision.Play Equipment has changed in design and functionto keep pace with our ever changing world. New

materials, design, colour and technology are nowintegrated into the play experience. Childrens needsand aspirations are more sophisticated than theearly 1970s and this is reected in the types of playnow offered in city parks, where the whole playenvironment is considered along with providingcontrolled risk and excitement to encourage goodhealthy sustainable play.

Over this period we have lost play sites and gainedplay sites and ball courts. In 1990 we had a stock of157 play areas which has risen to 192 sites in 2011.


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Appendix 2Play Area Action Plan - Play Areas by ward and proposed action

Ward - Almond Neighbourhood - Almond Area team - WEST

SITE Address Type Date Play value Proposed action Cost Year

Echline Avenue South Queenserry Play Area 2008 75 Continue to maintain

Haugh Public Park Brae Park Road Play Area 2007 70 Continue to maintain

Cramond Walled Garden Cramond Kirk, Glebe Road Play Area 2009 65 Continue to maintain

Riverside Public Park Newbridge Play Area 2010 64 Continue to maintain

Allison Public Park Junior, tot, teen Liston Road, Kirkliston Play Area 1995 59 Continue to maintain

Dundas Avenue South Queenserry Play Area 1999 56 Continue to maintain

Carlowrie Crescent Dalmeny Village, Dalmeny, Kirkliston Play Area 1997 54 Continue to maintain

Davidson Mains Public Park Barnton Avenue Play Area 2003 53 Replacement item required, (revenue) 5,000 2011

Inchcolm Terrace South Queenserry Play Area 1994 50.5 Continue to maintain

Gateside, Kirkliston Kirkliston Toddler 2010 50 Continue to maintain

King George V Park (Farquhar Terrace) Farquhar Terrace, South Queenserry Play Area 2002 46.5 Continue to maintain

Ratho Station Public Park Hillwood Road, Ratho Station Play Area 1994 39.5 improve to Good standard 50,000 2012

Kirkliston Sports Centre Kirkliston Play Area 1995 31 Continue to maintain

Maitland Hog Lane Kirkliston Ball Court 2009 27 Continue to maintain

Forth Terrace Dalmeny Station Play Area 1987 6 To be phased out at the end o lie 500 2012

Ward - Corstorphine/Murrayfeld Neighbourhood - Western Edinburgh Area Team - WEST


St. Margarets Public Park Corstorphine High Street Play Area 1986 41.5 improve to Good standard 70,000 2011

Union Public Park Carrickknowe Drive Play Area 1994 41.5 improve to Good standard 50,000 2013

Roseburn Public Park Roseburn Crescent Play Area 1994 41.5 improve to Good standard 70,000 2014

Glendevon Park o Balgreen Road Play Area 1990 25.5 Continue to maintain

Balgreen Park o Balgreen Road Play Area 1995 22 Continue to maintain

Ward - Drum Brae/Gyle Neighbourhood - Western Edinburgh Area Team - WEST


Gyle Park Play Area Glasgow Road Play Area 2001 62 Continue to maintain

Clermiston Public Park Clermiston Gardens Play Area 2003 62 Continue to maintain

Ardshiel Avenue (Torrence Park) Clermiston Play Area 2005 59 Continue to maintain

Fauldburn Park Southfeld, East Craigs Play Area 1993 35 Improve to Good standard 50,000 2013


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Craigevar Square East Craigs Play Area 1986 25 Improve to Good standard 50,000 2012

Gyle Park roller hockey Glasgow Road Ball Court 1999 24 Continue to maintain

Gyle Park Ball Court Glasgow Road Ball Court 1999 24 Continue to maintain

Ward: Forth Neighbourhood: Forth Area Team - NORTH


Victoria Public Park Senior Craighall Road Play area 1999 76 Contract let to repair fre damage 50,000 2011

Granton Mill Crescent Granton Play area 64

East Pilton Park Pilton Drive Play area 2010 62 Continue to maintain

Muirhouse Linear Park Muirhouse Play area 2000 59 Continue to maintain

Granton Mill Park Granton Play area 53

Granton Crescent Granton Crescent Play area 1999 44 Continue to maintain

Victoria Public Park Toddlers Newhaven Road Toddler 1999 42 Continue to maintain

West Pilton Public Park side o West Pilton Grove Play area 1992 38.5 Improve to Good standard 90,000 2015

West Pilton Public Park (Toddler) side o West Pilton Gardens Toddler 1996 37.5 Plan or removal, as equipment nears

end o lie

3,000 2015

Boswall/Royston Mains Gardens Granton Toddler 2003 36 Continue to maintain

West Pilton Public Park (Senior) middle o Pilton Park Play area 1996 26.5 Improve to Good standard 50,000 2015

Muirhouse View Muirhouse Toddler 1993 26 Improve to Good standard 60,000 2012

Northview Court Pilton Crescent Play area 2000 24.5 Continue to maintain

Granton Mains East Granton Mains East Toddler 1999 23 Continue to maintain

Ward: Inverleith Neighbourhood: Inverleith Area team - NORTH


Inverleith Public Park Arboretum Road Play/ball court 2004 89 Continue to maintain

Ravelston Public Park Craigcrook Road Play area 2004 74.5 Continue to maintain

King George V Park Eyre Place Play/ball court 1995 68 improve site layout o Junior Play Area

due to old platorms.

For saer use o site

2,500 2011

Easter Drylaw Drive Easter Drylaw Recreation Ground Play area 2009 63 Continue to maintain

Craigleith, Sainsbury South Croathill Avenue Play area 47

Hill Park Terrace Craigcrook Road Play area 46

Wester Drylaw Drive (Nos. 138-140) Wester Drylaw Drive Ball Court 2007 24 Continue to maintain

Dean Village Play 1A Dean Path Play area 50 Construct new play are to good

standard

60,000 2013


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Ward - City Centre Neighbourhood - City Centre Area team - City centre & Leith


West Princes Street Gardens Princes Street Gardens Play area 2007 85 Continue to maintain

Barony Place Broughton Street Play area 2009 77 Continue to maintain

Ward - Leith Neighbourhood - Leith Area team - City centre & Leith


Sandport Street Leith Play area 2010 63 Continue to maintain

Leith Links Leith Links Play area 1992 55.5 Develop play acilities as part o Leith

Links masterplan, possibly including a

skate acility. To be unded separately.

2014

Henderson Gardens Henderson Gardens, Yardheads Toddler/teen 1998 54 Continue to maintain

Leith Fort Play Area Leith Play area 1997 52 Site redevelopment, play site to be

removed

2012

Pirniefeld Bank Pirniefeld o Claremont Park Play area 2010 51 Continue to maintain

Taylor Gardens, Leith Taylor Gardens Leith Play area 2006 50 Continue to maintain

Tolbooth Wynd, Leith Play Area Leith Toddler/ball court 2008 48 Continue to maintain

Admirality Street Leith Play area 1994 39.5 Improve to Good standard 45,000 2011

Primrose Street Lochend Road Toddler 2003 35 Continue to maintain

Portland Street Leith Fort Leith Ball Court 2007 25 Site redevelopment, Ball Court, to be

relocated

2012

Ward - Leith Walk Neighbourhood - Leith Area team - City centre & Leith


Dalmeny Street Dalmeny Street Play/ Ball court 2009 80 Continue to maintain

Broughton Road Broughton Road Play area 2005 65.5 Continue to maintain

Redbraes Public Park Redbraes Place Play area 2000 56.5 Continue to maintain

Pilrig Public Park (Pilrig Street end) Pilrig Street Play area 2004 56.5 Continue to maintain

Montgomery Street Leith Play area 1990 52 Continue to maintain

St. Marks Public Park Warriston Road Play area 2000 51.5 Continue to maintain

Keddie Gardens Largo Place, Leith Play area 1992 50.5 Continue to maintain

Sovereign Court McDonald Road Play area 31

Pilrig Park (Balour Street end) Balour Street Play area 1985 27 To be phased out at the end o lie 3,000 2012

Albion Gardens Albion Road Play area 26


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Ward - Liberton/Gilmerton Neighbourhood - Liberton/Gilmerton Area team - SOUTH


Liberton Public Park Liberton Gardens Play area 2010 62 Continue to maintain

Burdiehouse Burn Valley Park teenage Lasswade Bank/Road Play area 2008 62 Continue to maintain

Inch Public Park Old Dalkeith Road Play area 1996 61.5 Continue to maintain

Moredun Maze Toddler Junior Fernieside Drive Play area 2004 59.5 Replacement o fre damaged

equipment and landscape

improvements

28,000 2011

Seven Acre Park Alnwickhill Play area 1999 58 Continue to maintain

Southhouse Square Southhouse Play area 2003 48 Continue to maintain

Gracemount Leisure Centre Captains Road Play area 2005 46 Continue to maintain

Priesthill Street Gracemount Play area 44

Ferniehill Road Ferniehill Road Play area 2002 40.5 Continue to maintain

Glenvarloch Crescent Inch Play area 1995 40 Improve to Good standard 80,000 2015

Drum Park/Avenue Gilmerton Play area 2003 38 Continue to maintain

Marytree House Marytree House, Craigour Green Play area 1989 29 Improve to Good standard 60,000 2011

Moredun Teenage Area Moredun Park View Teen Area 2002 20.5 Continue to maintain

Gracemount Vertical Village Fala Court, Gracemount Drive Play area 1999 0 Removed, site being redeveloped,

new site planned

2012

Ward - Southside/ Newington Neighbourhood - South Central Area team - SOUTH


Magnet Play East Meadows o Melville Drive Play area 2007 130 Continue to maintain

Prestonfeld Public Park Prestonfeld Road Play area 1993 65 Continue to maintain

Dumbiedykes Holyrood Park Play area 1991 40 Continue to maintain

Brown Street, Pleasance Ball Court Pleasance, rear o Carneigie Court Ball Court 2003 26 Continue to maintain

Meadows (Toddlers) o Melville Drive Toddler 1991 25 Continue to maintain

Brown Street, Pleasance Pleasance, rear o Carneigie Court Teen Area 2000 20.5 To be phased out at the end o lie 2,000 2012

Ward - Meadows/ Morningside Neighbourhood - South Central Area team - SOUTH


Falcon Road/Park Morningside Play area 2005 59 Continue to maintain

Morningside Public Park Morningside Drive Play area 1991 55 Maintain as Good standard 70,000 2014

Meadows (West) Bruntsfeld Links Play area 1990 54.5 Continue to maintain

Play Point Blackord Pond Cluny Gardens Toddler 2007 36 Continue to maintain


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Ward - Craigentinny/ Duddingston Neighbourhood -

Craigentinny/ Duddingston

Area team - EAST


Meadowfeld Public Park Meadowfeld Drive Play area 2010 66 Continue to maintain

Figgate Public Park Mountcastle Crescent Play/Teen 1998 58.5 Continue to maintain

Piershill Squares, East, West Portobello Road Play area 2003 51 Contract let maintain Good standard 57,000 2011

Loganlea Avenue Loganlea Avenue Toddler 2008 49 Improve to Good standard 50,000 2015

Lochend Public Park Lochend Public Park Play area 2007 44 Continue to maintain

Northfeld Community Centre Northfeld Road Play area 1991 35 Contract let to improve to Good

standard

70,000 2011

Craigentinny Ball Court Loganlea Avenue Ball Court 2009 27 Continue to maintainMeadowfeld Gardens (17) Meadowfeld Toddler 1998 10.5 Continue to maintain

Ward - Portobello/ Craigmillar Neighbourhood -

Portobello/ Craigmillar

Area team - EAST


Joppa Quarry Park South Morton Street Play area 2005 74.5 Continue to maintain

Peermill Court Play Area Craigmillar Court Play area 2008 63 Continue to maintain

Craigmillar Castle Park Old Dalkeith Road Play area 2008 62 Continue to maintain

Jack Kane Junior/toddler Niddrie Mains Road Play area 1996 58.5 Continue to maintain

Rosefeld Public Park Portobello Play area 2002 58.5 Continue to maintain

Magdalene Community Centre Brunstane Primary School, Magdalene Play area 1998 56.5 Continue to maintain

Mount Lodge Windsor Place Play area 2005 56.5 Continue to maintain

Towerbank Portobello Promenade, Figgate Street Play area 1996 54.5 Continue to maintain

Castlebrae Rigg Craigmillar Play area 54

Newcraighall Public Park Newcraighall Park View Play area 1994 50 Continue to maintain

Hay Drive Craigmillar Play area 49

Jewel Park, Bingham Bingham Play/ball court 2010 47 Continue to maintain

Peer Place Peer Place Play area 1999 51 Continue to maintain

Castlebrae Place Craigmillar Play area 44

Straiton Place Portobello Toddler 1991 38 Improve to Good standard 40,000 2012

Bingham Park Bingham Recreation Ground Play area 1999 38 Continue to maintain

Niddrie Marischall Street Craigmillar play area 35

Niddrie House Drive (Clock) Craigmillar Play area 1993 29 Continue to maintain

Niddrie House Square Craigmillar Play area 1991 28 Improve to Good standard 60,000 2013

Niddrie House Park Craigmillar Play area 26

Bailie Place (Rear Nos. 1-5) Bailie Place, o Milton Road Play area 1991 8 To be phased out at the end o lie 500 2012


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Ward - Fountainbridge/ Craiglockhart Neighbourhood - South-west Area Team - SOUTH_WEST


Harrison Public Park West Harrison Park West Play area 2004 67.5 Continue to maintain

Harrison Public Park East West Bryson Road Play area 2006 61 Continue to maintain

Meggateland Wynd Meggateland Wynd Play area 2009 42 Continue to maintain

Moat House Moat Drive Play area 1994 27.5 Continue to maintain

Rattray Drive rear 51 Greenbank toddler 39

Ward - Sighthill/Gorgie Neighbourhood - South-west Area Team - SOUTH WEST


Sighthill Public Park, play, wheels Broomhouse Road Play area 2000 70.5 Continue to maintain

Hailes Quarry Park Dumbryden Road Play area 2008 66 Continue to maintain

White Park Gorgie Road Play area 2007 65 Continue to maintain

Saughton Park Saughton Park Play area 1999 61 Improve to Very Good standard 180,000 2011

Broomhouse Grove o Broomhouse Avenue Play area 2005 53 Continue to maintain

Redhall Public Park Kilncrotside, Redhall Drive Play area 2007 49 Continue to maintain

Stewart Terrace o Gorgie Road Play area 2000 48.5 Continue to maintain

Hailesland Gardens Wester Hailes Play area 2007 45 Continue to maintain

Duff Street Dalry Road play/ball court 43

Calder Park o Calder Place Play area 2009 42 Continue to maintain

Stenhouse Place East Stenhouse Play area 2001 41 Continue to maintain

Broomhouse Centre Broomhouse Play area 1999 38 Continue to maintain

Dalry Community Park Dalry Road Play area 2003 36 Continue to maintain

Murieston Public Park Murieston Crescent Play area 1996 35.5 Continue to maintain

Sighthill Drive Sighthill Drive Play area 1997 35 Continue to maintain

Dumbryden Gardens (No. 1-17) Wester Hailes Play area 1995 34 Continue to maintain

Saughton Mains Terrace Stenhouse Play area 1994 33.5 improve to Good standard 40,000 2013

Kingsknowe Place Kingsknowe Play area 2004 30.5 Continue to maintain

Dumbryden Gardens (No. 46) Wester Hailes Play area 1995 29 Continue to maintain

Dalry Community Park Dalry Road Ball Court 2007 27 Continue to maintain

Broomhouse Grove o Broomhouse Avenue Ball Court 2005 27 Continue to maintain

Dumbryden Grove Wester Hailes Play area 1993 23 Continue to maintain

Morvenside Wester Hailes Toddler 2001 23 Continue to maintain


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Dumbryden Gardens (Nos. 66 ront) Dumbryden Gardens, ront/rear No. 66 Play area 1993 21 Continue to maintain

Murrayburn Place (Block 12) Murrayburn Place Play area 1993 19 Continue to maintain

Dumbryden Gardens (Nos. 19-36) Wester Hailes Ball Court 1985 17 Continue to maintain

Westfeld Court o Westfeld Road Play area 1989 14 Continue to maintain

Westburn Grove Wester Hailes Ball Court 1985 10 Continue to maintain

Murrayburn Green/Gardens opp 25 Murrayburn Gardens Ball Court 1985 8 Continue to maintain

Dumbryden Gardens (No. 1-17) Wester Hailes Ball Court 1985 8 Continue to maintain

Ward - Pentland Hills Neighbourhood - Pentlands Area Team - SOUTH WEST


Ratho Public Park Ratho Village Play Area 2005 62 Continue to maintain

Bloomiehall Public Park Barberton Avenue, Juniper Green Play Area 1995 57 Continue to maintain

Pentland View Currie Play/teen area 2002 54.5 Continue to maintain

Muir Wood Road Currie Play Area 2009 51 Continue to maintain

Dean Park Place/Square Balerno Play Area 1995 50 improve to Good standard, revenue 5,000 2011

Hermiston Village Hermiston Village Green Play Area 2004 48 Continue to maintain

Clovenstone Gardens Clovenstone Drive Play Area 1999 36 Continue to maintain

Wester Hailes Drive, Barn Park Crescent

(Nos. 21-23)

21-23 Wester Hailes Drive Play Area 1993 31 Continue to maintain

Wester Hailes Park (Block 20) Wester Hailes Park Play Area 1995 29 Continue to maintain

Wester Hailes Drive, Barn Park Crescent

(No. 129)

129 Wester Hailes Drive Play Area 1995 28 Continue to maintain

Clovenstone Park (Block 40) Wester Hailes Play Area 1997 28 Continue to maintain

KGV Park Pentland View Ball Court Currie Ball Court 2008 27 Continue to maintain

Wester Hailes Drive (No. 36 - Frog) 36 Wester Hailes Drive Play Area 1994 23.5 Continue to maintain

Dolphins Gardens West Currie Play Area 1989 15 To be phased out at the end o lie 1,000 2015

Wester Hailes Park/ Drive Greenview Wester Hailes Ball Court 1985 9 Continue to maintain

Craigpark Crescent Ratho Play Area 1988 3.5 To be phased out at the end o lie 1,000 2014

Dumbeg Park no equipment rear o 47 Wester Hailes Drive Play Area 1997 0 Continue to maintain


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Ward - Colinton/ Fairmilehead Neighbourhood - Pentlands Area Team - SOUTH WEST


Colinton Mains Park Oxgangs Road North Play Area 2010 75 Continue to maintain

Dreghorn Drive Dreghorn Drive Play area 56

Buckstone Circle Buckstone, Fairmilehead Play Area 1999 52 Continue to maintain

Spylaw Public Park Comiston Play Area 1989 52 additional item added Jan 2011 play

value increased, urther improvements

to Very Good standard required

60,000 2014

Latch Park opp 29 Latch Park Play area 48

Campbell Public Park Woodhall Road, Spylaw Play Area 1996 39.5 Continue to maintain

Oxgangs Brae/View Oxgangs Brae/View Play Area 1994 38.5 Continue to maintain

Fairmilehead Public Park Camus Avenue, Comiston Road Play Area 1999 37 Construction underway, improve to

Good standard

97,696 2011

Margaret Rose Walk 7-8 Frogston Road toddler 34

Queen Margaret Close 46-51 Frogston Road toddler 26

Total (5 year programme) 1,633,696


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Appendix 2: Play Area Capital Projects 2005 to 2011

LOCATION Project cost External grant aid CEC Funding element YEAR Notes

rdshiel Avenue 56,339.78 0.00 56,339.78 2005 - 2006

roomhouse Community Park 60,000.00 0.00 60,000.00 2005 - 2006

atho Park 39,488.47 0.00 39,488.47 2005 - 2006

ppa Quarry Park 72,046.16 0.00 72,046.16 2005 - 2006

Mount Lodge 40,500.10 0.00 40,500.10 2005 - 2006

roughton Road Community Park 98,727.00 0.00 98,727.00 2005 - 2006

aylor Gardens, Leith 43,341.00 0.00 43,341.00 2005 - 2006

Sub Total 410,442.51 410,442.51

arrison Park East 44,207.77 0.00 44,207.77 2006 - 2007

entland View, Currie, Teenage Corner 10,473.00 0.00 10,473.00 2006 - 2007

agnet Play East Meadows 387,372.63 0.00 387,372.63 2006 - 2007

edhall Park 59,455.00 0.00 59,455.00 2006 - 2007

GV Park Logan Street 26,725.62 0.00 26,725.62 2006 - 2007

augh Park, Cramond 60,991.72 0.00 60,991.72 2006 - 2007

ochend Park 25,551.00 0.00 25,551.00 2006 - 2007

White Park 78,327.00 0.00 78,327.00 2006 - 2007

ity Wide refurbishment of Play Equipment 59,503.50 0.00 59,503.50 2006 - 2007

Sub Total 752,607.24 752,607.24

West Princes Street Gardens 125,000.00 0.00 125,000.00 2007 - 2008 Cities Growth fund

alry Community Park 30,088.93 16,000.00 14,088.93 2007- 2008 SFA

oganlea Avenue 35,000.00 0.00 35,000.00 2007 - 2008 Regenration Fund

chline Avenue, South Queensferry 94,865.00 94,865.00 0.00 2007 - 2008 Section 75 contribution

raigmillar Court High Flats 59,000.00 0.00 59,000.00 2007 - 2008 HRA

ailes Quarry Park 55,619.00 55,619.00 2007 - 2008 Environmental justice fu

olboth Wynd, Leith 27,604.40 0.00 27,604.40 2007 -2008 Townscape heritage fun

GV Park Currie Ball Court 45,000.00 45,000.00 0.00 2007-2008 SFA/Community

Sub Total 472,177.33 211,484.00 260,693.33

urdiehouse Valley Park Teenage 70,386.00 40,000.00 30,386.00 2008 - 2009 WREN, S Edin Prtnshp

restonfield Park 24,000.00 24,000.00 2008-2009 Section 75 contribution

bilee Park Craigmillar 120,000.00 0.00 120,000.00 2008-2009

TenderDate/RDT/JG/JE/19/07/2011


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LOCATION Project cost External grant aid CEC Funding element YEAR Notes

ean Park, Balerno 29,089.00 0.00 29,089.00 2008-2009 (HRA)

Sub Total 243,475.00 64,000.00 179,475.00

arony Street 160,000.00 110,000.00 50,000.00 2009-2010 WREN, Biffa, Mushroo

alder Park 130,000.00 0.00 130,000.00 2009-2010 HRA

aster Drylaw Drive 120,000.00 49,990.00 70,000.00 2009-2010 WREN

avelston Park Ball Court 24,891.50 19,000.00 5,891.00 2009-2010 WREN

almeny Street 120,000.00 50,000.00 70,000.00 2009-2010 WREN

Muir Wood Road 30,000.00 30,000.00 0.00 2009-2010 WREN

berton Park 62,940.34 0.00 62,940.34 2009-2010

Sub Total 647,831.84 148,990.00 388,831.34

andport Street 27,747.70 0.00 27,747.70 2010-2011

iverside, Newbridge 60,000.00 0.00 60,000.00 2010-2011

olinton Mains 107,525.00 40,505.00 67,020.00 2010-2011 WREN

eadowfield Park 79,000.00 49,945.00 29,055.00 2010-2011 WREN

wel Park, Bingham 86,000.00 50,000.00 2010-2011 WREN

pylaw Park 15,000.00 0.00 15,000.00 2010-2011

ast Pilton Park 73,311.60 0.00 73,311.60 2010-2011 under constructi

Sub Total 448,584.30 140,450.00 272,134.30

airmilehead Park 97,000.00 49,961.00 47,039.00 2011-2012 WREN

aughton Park (At consultation) 196,419.00 96,419.00 100,000.00 2009-2010 Biffa, WREN

orthfield Community Centre 70,000.00 0.00 70,000.00 2010-2011 At tender

ictoria Park 50,000.00 0.00 50,000.00 2010-2011 At tender

ernieside Park Maze 28,000.00 consultation with ELGT 28,000.00 2010-2011 Under discussion

Sub Total 441,419.00 146,380.00 295,039.00

rand totals 3,416,537.22 711,304.00 2,559,222.72

TenderDate/RDT/JG/JE/19/07/2011


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LOCATION WARD NAME

Harrison Park East

Pentland View, Currie, Teenage Corner

Magnet Play East Meadows

Lochend Park

White ParkRedhall Park

West Princes Street Gardens

KGV Park Logan Street

City Wide refurbishment of Play Equipment

Haugh Park, Cramond

play strategy - play area action plan 2011-2016

Documents