Jeni Barnacle

'To Play or Not to Play: Mapping Unequal Provision of Children’s Playgrounds' - @SheffieldUni The largest study on English playgrounds maps deep inequalities in play space access and provides a new framework to guide interventions across our towns and cities. 📰 mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/3/477 📊 Key insight: In some areas, there are five times more children per playground than others, disproportionately affecting deprived communities ⤵️ ✅ Leicester has 4x more of its area devoted to playgrounds than Leeds ✅ Norwich has nearly 5x more playgrounds per child than Liverpool ✅ In London, Islington has 5x the playground space per area compared to Barnet 🔍 A new framework for targeted action 🏗️ Strategic expansion where playgrounds are well-located but too small 📌 New site identification for cities with major playground shortages 🎯 Better placement of large playgrounds that are currently in the wrong locations. 📢 What needs to change? 🔹 We need Play Sufficiency legislation to ensure local authorities plan for and secure equitable play opportunities 🔹 We need a new National Play Strategy to systematically address play inequalities and ensure every child has the right to play 🔹 We need investment in play infrastructure focusing on deprived areas using this evidence-based framework 🔹 We need play embedded in Planning & Placemaking to ensure children and play are at the heart of urban and community design. 🌍 Why This Matters Play is essential for children’s health, well-being, and social development - yet access remains dictated by geography and deprivation. Without a strategic, national approach, inequalities will persist. This study provides further compelling evidence to shape national policy, investment, and planning decisions ensuring all children, regardless of postcode, have access to high-quality, inclusive play spaces. Play is not a luxury – it’s essential for children’s wellbeing, development, and happiness. At @PlayEngland we are clear that it’s time for Government to act ⤵️ 📰 playengland.org.uk/newsblog/… We must take forward these bold policy changes to give children their childhood back. Together, we can create a nation where play is not just valued—but protected, supported, and meaningfully implemented. 🚸🌿🍁🍂🪵 🚲 🛴 🛹🛼 🛝 🏃🏼‍♂️🏃🏼‍♀️🏃🏾👩‍🦽🚴🏿🚏🚶🏻🤸🏾‍♂️🤸🏼‍♂️🌳🏘️ #PlaySufficiency #NationalPlayStrategy #Playgrounds #Play #Playces #PlanningForPlay #NPPF #ChildrensWellbeing #RightToPlay #UNCRC #Article31 #PlayCommission #StateOfPlay #PhysicalLiteracy #PhysicalActivity #FreerangeUrbanNeighbourhoods #FUN