Leicestershire Playbuilder

Playbuilder was a grant of approx £1.1 million that was allocated by the Government to Leicestershire County Council in 2009 -  2011 to develop or substantially refurbish play spaces aimed at the 8-13yrs age group.

The aim of Playbuilder was to change the way that children and young peoples play spaces were commissioned designed and built, with a move away from pre standardised equipment, surrounded by safety surfacing and fencing. A condition of the grant was that children were consulted about how they wanted to play and what equipment they would like to be included in the new play spaces. This approach would empower children to become involved in a project where their views and ideas would be listened to and acted upon.

The sites have to embrace more ‘natural play’ - introducing elements such as water and sand, opportunities to make dens and making use of the natural landscape. The concept of children being able to ‘take risks’ in their play is an important part of the criteria and this was encouraged in consultation with children to get them to embrace new ideas and move away from what they had been used to in more traditional playgrounds.

Community involvement in taking the lead on the funding, where bids were successful, was important and most projects were undertaken by Parish or District Councils.

Twenty five sites in total will have been completed by the end of March 2011.

These sites are across the county and are as follows:

Asfordby - Glen Close

Melton County Park - Climbing Forest [off Doctors Lane]

Melton - Stathern Wild Flower Area – Dove Cottage

Blaby - Whistle Way, Speedwell Close

Charnwood - Watermead County Park

Ellistown - South Street Recreation Ground

Coalville - Urban Forest Park

Market Harborough - Symingtons Recreation Ground

Hinckley - Queens Park

Hinckley - Thornton Recreation Ground

Oadby - Iliffe Park

    

Hinckley and Bosworth - Bagworth Community Centre

Melton - Gaddesby Playground

Charnwood - Rothley, Fowke Street Playfield

Charnwood - Loughborough Southfields Park

Blaby - Leicester Forest East Recreation Ground

Measham - Bosworth Recration Ground

Long Clawson - Site of village hall

Oakthorpe/ Donisthorpe - Playing Field

South Wigston - William Gunning Park

Desford - Kirby Road Playing Fields

Walcote - Chapel Play Area

Fleckney - Recreation Ground

Earl Shilton - Maple Way Play Area

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