We’re improving play areas – we need your views
Published: Monday, 6 June, 2022
Everyone who uses Stroud District Council play areas – young and older – are being asked for their views on how they can be improved.
The council is undertaking a consultation on the 32 council-owned play parks across the district, so that funds can be invested where they are needed the most.
Play areas and green space are vital for the health and wellbeing of young children and their families. The funding will be used to improve some of the key areas across the district, updating them with equipment which is fun and fit for purpose. We understand that we cannot fund all of the areas but will use various forms of consultation and public health data to identify the communities which are in greatest need.
A consultation survey will form part of the reasoning for where the council can invest the £300,000 of Contain Outbreak Management Fund (COMF) funding which the council received to improve areas and/or change the use depending on location and demand. Green spaces will remain but may be used differently.
The COMF provides funding to local authorities in England to help reduce the spread of coronavirus and support local public health.
One of the council’s three main priorities is Community Resilience and Wellbeing, and this survey forms part of a wider consultation including stakeholder engagement, focus groups and door-to-door consultations where play areas surround residential dwellings.
“We need to understand what these areas mean to the local communities and how they are used,” said SDC Community Services and Licensing Committee Chair, Chris Brine. “I would urge every parent or carer who uses a play area with their children, or grandparents to fill the survey in. The more response we get, the better we will be able to spend the money where it really matters.”
To fill out the survey, click here: https://tinyurl.com/stroudplayarea
The survey ends on June 24.