Children ask for safe play areas

Children want safe space to let off steam

A group of children has met the Culture Secretary, Chris Smith, to ask for supervised safe play areas.

The alternative is a generation of children who will grow up in front of the computer and the TV

Tim Gill, Children's Play Council

The children, aged five to 10, gave Mr Smith a blueprint to create a "worry free" environment where they can have fun.

In a survey of parents' views commissioned last year by the Children's Society, 80% said their children spent less time outside than they did when they were youngsters.

The key reasons given by parents included fear of harm from strangers, concern about traffic and the lack of suitable play areas near their homes.

The main points of the children's blueprint include:

• asking councils to consult children and parents when planning play facilities
• making sure parks are well supervised by workers who understand children's play needs
• ensuring play areas are free from dangers such as dog mess and broken glass
• introducing traffic-calming schemes

The Children's Society's chief executive, Ian Sparks, said it was time the authorities started listening to the experts - children and parents - about what was needed.

"Today's children have fewer chances to play outside than at any time for generations," he said.

"As a result they are missing out on all of the independence and freedom that play brings.

'TV generation'

"Parents are understandably worried about their children's safety, particularly harm from strangers and traffic, however they also understand that if this trend continues it will have an impact on their children's development."

The director of the Children's Play Council, Tim Gill, said play was vital if children were to grow up into healthy adults.

The issue was not only one of play spaces.

"Unless we invest in play by making communities safer so that children can walk and cycle safely and play outdoors independently, we are letting our children down," he said.

"The alternative is a generation of children who will grow up in front of the computer and the TV."

The meeting with Mr Smith was to mark the 13th annual Playday, run by the Children's Society and the Children's Play Council, who say nearly 100,000 children are taking part in various activities across the UK.

Mr Smith has said he supports the event and has called on local authorities to sign up to the idea - as some have done already.

"I cannot think of a better way we can show the children of this country we are committed to their needs," he said.