York £1m play areas delight (From York Press)

York £1m play areas delight

12:30pm Wednesday 11th February 2009 in

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CHILDREN across York have cause to celebrate, after it was announced nearly two dozen play areas in the city are to be built or upgraded.

About £1 million will be spent improving facilities for the city’s youngsters, under the Government’s national Playbuilder project.

City of York Council has been allocated a slice of a national £235 million pot, to develop new play areas and improve existing ones. Work will be aimed specifically at people aged eight to 13, with the emphasis on “open access” play areas, rather than enclosed ones.

Children, young people, parents and community groups are all being asked to suggest sites suitable for play-areas, or existing ones that could be improved. Money will be available to spend from April.

Coun Carol Runciman, the councillor responsible for children’s services, said: “This is a wonderful opportunity to build on the good play provision we already have.”

She said a panel had been set up and was looking at areas lacking in facilities. In total, 22 areas will be developed or improved.

“We have to look at where there is open space that is accessible,” she said.

York’s young people’s champion, Coun James Alexander, said: “I am very pleased that the Government has given this large sum of money to York children, which will hopefully see a dramatic increase in the quality of play areas and amount of play areas, as well as a fairer distribution of play areas. I am confident that getting children when they are young to be able to play in safe communal environments helps their social development and gives them much more of a community spirit that will lead through into adult life.”

He said York’s current play facilities were not good enough, and were unevenly distributed across the city.

Anyone with an interest in the local play needs can suggest outdoor sites for improvement.

To do so, visit the website at yor-ok.gov.uk/playbuilder or phone the council on 01904 551550.