As a parish councillor, you aim to make a difference to your local area. Facilitating meaningful change in your community by building an environment for the future.
Your council will be 1 of around 10,480 Parish and Town Councils in England. Each council has different goals and objectives to achieve for the year. Many of which relate to local parks and the environment.
In this article, you’ll find lots of information about community play space standards. Read on for guidance on how to evaluate if your current play space, exploring if it meets the local community needs.
Why are Parish Council Play Spaces Important?
We all know that it’s important to have a community space where parents and young people can go and enjoy their time. Giving people the opportunity to burn off energy and get some exercise in.
A big part of your role as a parish councillor is to help create a space that has something for everyone.
A good quality play space should be durable, visually enticing and require minimal management. The best parish council play spaces we work with consider the needs of all community members, young and old(er).
Your local community will benefit from:
- Access to equipment to assist with healthy living
- A boost in energy and improved sleep
- Improved mental health as well as reduced feelings of stress
- A reduction in blood pressure and cholesterol
The British Heart Foundation highlights the significant benefits of exercise, stating that it can reduce the risk of heart and circulatory diseases by as much as 35%.
So, by creating opportunities for children to engage in recreational activities, you encourage a lifelong appreciation for physical activity and contribute to long-term cardiovascular health. Having access to a play space and recreational activities can help improve health and well-being in the short and long term.
What Makes a Good Community Play Space?
During your parish council meetings, you’ll have plenty to discuss when it comes to planning improvements to your current play space.
The most common discussion points we find are:
- Budget
- Inclusivity and accessibility
- Timeframes
- Ease of planning and installation process
- Choice of playground equipment
- Safety
- Community engagement
Let’s look at what makes a good community play space.
1. Community Engagement
Community engagement is an important consideration, either when upgrading an existing play space or creating a whole new play area. It is recommended for councillors to engage with local residents, including children and parents. The most successful play space enhancements come from understanding community needs and wants. Feedback can be gathered in various ways, some of which include free online surveys, public meetings and even
collecting views via social media.
It is worth noting that members of your local community may have varying opinions and ideas for the outcomes of the recreational space. So, if planning any meetings, it may be a good idea to steer clear of any specific items or issues.
Instead, we would recommend you concentrate on more general topics such as equipment overview, surfacing materials and colours. You can even discuss how the surrounding would be best utilised, including coffee shops, MUGA’s etc. It may be a good idea to bring a selection of case studies to meetings. Ideas can then be cherry picked, and they can provide an idea on costings.
2. Age-Appropriate
Age appropriateness is a key factor when you are planning a play area. A recreational space should ideally cater to a range of age groups, from younger children all the way up to teenagers and adults. This might involve separating zones with age-appropriate equipment, such as Swings and Springers for younger children, to Climbing Frames and Cableways for older children.
It may even be worth considering a dedicated area for teenagers with features such as Goal Ends and Shelters. Providing them with a space to ‘hang out’ and socialise with their peers.
And for the adults? Steel Gym Equipment is incredibly popular in public spaces and parks. They provide the all-important space and facilities for adults to exercise. You may have heard of calisthenics? It’s a form of exercise using body weight. It is becoming increasingly popular in secondary schools for teenagers, more and more parks are now including Pull-up bars and calisthenics units.
3. Safety
Safety is, of course, a top priority when it comes to planning a new or upgrading a play space. Whether for adults, teenagers or children, all parish council playgrounds must meet the necessary British Standards.
Play equipment standards are:
- BS EN 1176/77: permanently installed children’s playground equipment and surfacing
- BS EN 16630: permanently installed adult outdoor fitness equipment
- BS EN 15312: permanently installed multi sports equipment
As well as adhering to the British Standards, the layout of the play space should be carefully considered to reduce the risk of accidents. Clear minimum space between the pieces of equipment and free fall zones should be identified. You will also need to choose the most appropriate surfacing that meets the free fall height of the equipment.
Fawns’ equipment is designed specifically with machine rounded timber. Reducing the risk of children hurting themselves by running into any sharp corners Timber is a softer material compared to steel or plastic and has lower heat retention, making it a preferable choice for playgrounds around the country.
Last (but not least!), when you are purchasing a new playground, it is advised to work with a company who are part of the API (Association of Play Industry). The API is a trade body in the play sector, for both indoor and outdoor equipment. They ensure that the companies under their umbrella promote best practice and high-quality play provision.
4. Inclusivity
Inclusivity is fundamental when you are planning a recreational play space; its a good idea to consider during the design process. Ensuring your playground is inclusive and accessible to all children, regardless of age, ability, or background. 
When you are planning a new play area it is worth considering the following:
- Is the safety surfacing suitable for wheelchair users?
- Are children given the opportunity for sensory feedback? How can sensory play equipment support children’s sensory requirements?
- Are barriers removed to ensure all children can play together? Consider inclusive equipment such as the Sensory Island Range, helping to improve interaction between children of all ages and abilities?
By designing a recreational space with inclusivity in mind, you are working towards welcoming a broader range of community members.
5. Sustainability
It is a good idea to take into consideration environmentally sustainable equipment and materials. This might involve using recycled materials, planting trees and shrubs, or incorporating features that encourage biodiversity.
If you are deciding to invest in in timber equipment, it’s worth making sure you collaborate with a company who provide environmentally friendly and sustainably sourced materials. Companies, including Fawns, should be 
manufacturing with FSC certified timber. This ensures that they come from sustainable, managed forests. By choosing FSC-certified timber, you can rest assure you are investing in a play area that is not only safe but also environmentally friendly and sustainable.
As well as using FSC accredited timber, many of the materials and final products can be dismantled and recycled at the end of use with ease.
To find out more about the benefits of timber, check out our 7 Benefits of Timber Playground Equipment blog.
6. Maintenance
Long-term maintenance should be included in your planning. It is recommended that you develop a viable plan for the ongoing maintenance of the play space.
Parish Councils will often budget for play equipment to be maintained each year. Quality play equipment should limit the amount of maintenance visits needed. It is worth outlining the frequency (weekly, monthly, quarterly) and specific areas to be checked. A simple addition to ongoing council agendas for maintenance inspections is advised.
At Fawns we use machine round high-quality softwood timber. These timbers undergo controlled drying and vacuum pressure treatment with environmentally friendly preservatives, ensuring a longer lifespan. Wood being a natural material reduces the need for harsh chemicals and cleaners, making it easier to maintain and more eco-friendly.
By carefully considering all of these factors, Parish Councils can create play spaces that are a valuable asset to their communities. Providing children, teenagers and adults with a safe and stimulating environment to play, stay active and develop.
Next Steps
Looking for further inspiration? Check our parish council case studies or request our council brochure to help provide you with some suggestions for your local play area.
Or to discuss any project plans or questions about outdoor playground equipment, contact us.
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