Play Spaces

New Play Space Opens to the Public

Brackley Town Council (BTC) is pleased to announce the opening of the new play space at Humphries Drive . It has been well received by the youth and members of the public and is a long awaited play space for youth of all ages. It is hoped that families will enjoy the area with its innovative modern equipment and that even parents will “have a go? This project was made possible, in part, by the grant funding from the Department of Children Schools and Families which BTC applied for, and was one of a few councils in Northamptonshire successful in their application.

The objectives of this play space project were to provide a well designed, good value play space activity for all, providing Inclusive play equipment aimed at skills development and fair play as outlined in Fair Play, a Consultation of the Play Strategy by The Department for Children, Schools and Families . The result being a play space with an acceptable degree of risk, in line with the Government strategy and Play for Change which revealed a resonance between the academic research on the benefits of play for children's health and well-being and the broad aims stated in current policies for children and young people. The result addressed, in part, the gap in the provision of play within the town, with consideration given to youth with special needs.

The planning for the space started over a year ago, with early consultation with The Charter for Children's Play which sets out a vision for play and aims to be a catalyst for individuals and organisations to examine, review and improve their provision for children and young people's play and informal recreation, and other agency representatives including; Play Strategy officer at SNC, Area Co-ordinator of Early Years and Child Care Service, ROSPA and risk assessment Consultants. Interested stakeholders were invited to a presentation in the Town Hall where different types of equipment and plans were displayed by various suppliers, enabling the most suitable equipment for the town's residents to be identified.

When the space became available it was immediately well used, more than would ordinarily be expected, but not surprising for something so unique in the town. This extended use was obviously enhanced by the exceptional weather for the time of year. The initial honeymoon period saw the site being used by up to 100 children at any one time with visitors coming from the surrounding villages. It is anticipated that the number of people using the site will be less as the honeymoon period passes; this is born out by the moderate use over the past weeks

We ask that all visitors to the play space are considerate to the residents living in the vicinity, through thoughtful parking and behaviour. It is hoped that with the better weather children will be encouraged to walk or ride bikes to the area.

The play space working party will continue to meet regularly to discuss future policies, the play space strategy and provision of additional play space within the town. Future needs for both existing sites and the potential of any new play space will be considered working within Government guidelines and Design for Play: A guide to creating successful play spaces

Click here for Brackley Play Space Strategy

Humphries Drive Open Space

Northamptonshire County Council has received funding for 6 play spaces in the County from the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) .

Brackley Town Council is pleased to announce that it has been chosen to be one of the parishes to receive a funding grant of £50,000. This has been awarded for the installation of play equipment, in a natural setting, for 8 to 13 years olds. The Humphries Drive open space was identified as a suitable site along with the design of the equipment. The grant is conditional upon the equipment being placed only on this site and that the installation of the equipment and completion of the project must be done by 31 st March 2009.

A recent survey undertaken of all local households in the town resulted in 105 returned surveys being in overwhelming support of the installation of the equipment on Humphries Drive open space. Any landscaping objections will be addressed and the work will be undertaken in the winter months.

The play equipment will provide a much needed resource for youngsters and will not prohibit any softball games currently played there. Adequate fencing will be sited at strategic points to provide additional security and safety in order to deter children crossing the roads at inappropriate points. Additional litter bins and dog waste bins will be included in the plans.

By Brackley Town Council agreeing to accept this considerable amount of money on behalf of our residents, it further demonstrates the council's commitment to providing play areas for the young people within the town.