The Association of Play Industries has joined with other organisations in an open letter calling upon Local Authorities to put the wellbeing of children first and let them play.
Despite Government guidance specifically permitting public playgrounds to remain open, many LAs are closing their play spaces.
“Outdoor play is vital for the physical and mental health of children and playground closures mean that many children, particularly those in the most deprived areas or without any outside space, are facing months effectively under house arrest,” says API Chair Mark Hardy.
“The play industry, children’s charities and play experts are all united in highlighting the essential role that playgrounds have within communities.
“The risks to children of not playing outdoors far outweigh any risks posed by Covid-19 and we are urging LAs to keep playgrounds open or re-open them if they are closed.”
The letter from Play England – titled Opening Children’s Playgrounds during current lockdown and co-signed by a number of leading individuals from high-profile organisations – states: “The government’s guidance for owners and operators of children’s playgrounds clearly states that children’s playgrounds can remain open during the current…Despite this we know that some local authorities have chosen to close their playgrounds. We are writing to urge you to keep your playgrounds open or to reopen them if they are closed.
“Psychologists, academics, paediatricians, play experts, doctors and scientists have highlighted the evidence that play is vital for the health and wellbeing of children –particularly at a time of unprecedented restrictions on children’s daily lives.
“Children and young people are making sacrifices every day during lockdown and the impact is starting to become apparent with increases in mental and physical health issues.
“For children, playing outdoors is a form of exercise and exercise is allowed under the rules. We have written to the Government asking for this to be made explicit in the guidelines so that parents, councils and the police can all feel confident that outdoor play is an allowed activity.
“Unfortunately, children’s voices are too often overlooked by policy makers, and their needs and wishes ignored, as they are drowned out by a small number of vocal local residents.
“The impact of lockdown is particularly severe for the most disadvantaged children –those growing up in poverty, who may have limited space at home and no garden. Families with disabled children and young people have been particularly hard hit by the lockdown restrictions. For these families, access to playgrounds is often a lifeline. “
“We understand that this is not easy, especially if you have pressure from residents complaining about parents gathering, fears about COVID infections and worries around liability. The government guidance requires that owners and operators of children’s playgrounds carry out a COVID-19 risk assessment.
“The Health & Safety Executive recommends that owners and operators take a balanced approach –balancing benefits to children against the risks.”
