Sport and Leisure applied to the DCSF for Play Pathfinder Status
and we are one of only 20 councils in the country to secure the £2.1
million Government grant.
Play Pathfinder is part of a country-wide scheme to get more children playing outside.
Play boosts children's confidence and social skills, gets them fitter, and is
fun.
The funding will go towards 28 new or updated play areas across Sunderland and there are plans for a City Adventure Centre, which could offer a host of challenging activities such as ropes, climbing nets or a 3D
maze.
The play area work has been made possible by £2.1 million from the Government’s Play Pathfinder programme and there is match-funding of
£2.1 million from Sunderland City Council and developers.
By submitting a comprehensive Play Pathfinder application based upon the City’s play and urban games strategy 2007-2012 ,
we highlighted the importance on improving play opportunities for children and young people.
Our plan showed how:
- Community engagement was at the heart of Sunderland’s play developments
- It had access and opportunities for all
- Creativity in the play designs
As well as building and updating play areas, we are aiming to work on ‘gateway’ projects to encourage more schools to open up their green spaces.
A further £500,000 is being invested on a range of projects including supported play opportunities at the City Adventure Centre while promoting positive play and training resources for parents and volunteers.
In the last four years the Sport and Leisure has refurbished 26 play and urban games facilities across the city and in
December 2007 we were awarded £759,000 by the Big Lottery Fund for further work.
The Government is introducing a play indicator, meaning that every year children and young people will be asked how satisfied they are with their local play areas and parks.
The 28 new or updated play areas across Sunderland will be delivered
over a 2 year period, Year 1 projects will be complete by March 2009 and
Year 2 projects complete by March 2010.
YEAR 1 PROJECTS
There are 12 projects which will be completed in year 1 by March 2009
and will be suitable for children and young people (including those with
disabilities), from 0-19 years of age. However the vast majority of
the usage is predicted to be by children and young people under 16yrs age.
The 12 projects include the following:
- Roker Park Play Area, St Peter's Ward, North Sunderland;
- Rothley Court, Castle Ward, North Sunderland;
- Community North Play Area, Castle Ward, North Sunderland;
- Albany Park Play Area, Washington West Ward, Washington;
- Washington Wheeled Sports Park, Washington South, Washington;
- Silksworth Recreation, Silksworth Ward, South Sunderland;
- Ryhope Recreation, Ryhope Ward, East Sunderland;
- Mowbray Park Play Area, Hendon Ward, East Sunderland;
- Thorndale Play Area, Sandhill Ward, West Sunderland;
- Kier Hardie Play Area, Houghton Ward, Coalfields;
- Rectory Park Play Area, Houghton Ward, Coalfields;
More information to follow.
Please contact Sport & Leisure by telephone (0191) 5614590/4591 or
e-mail sports.leisure@sunderland.gov.uk
Useful Websites
Ed Balls
Department
for Children, Schools and Families
Please contact Sport & Leisure by telephone (0191) 5614590/4591 or
e-mail sports.leisure@sunderland.gov.uk
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