Glamis Adventure Playground
This post is an invitation to join me – and some kindred spirits – in September, for London’s first ever ‘Open for Play’ event. The programme includes site visits to some of the capital’s most innovative playgrounds, a walking tour of the acclaimed EC1 regeneration area, and an evening seminar.
Posted in Education, Outdoor play, play, Play spaces, playground, Public space, Urbanism
Tagged Adventure playground, Camden, child-friendly cities, early childhood, early years, EC1, Islington, London, neighbourhood, Open House, outdoor play, play space, playability, playable space, playground, public space, urban design
How can we build the movement to make neighbourhoods, towns and cities more child-friendly? I hereby propose that we steal a page from the playbook of Richard Louv. Continue reading
Last week I was tipped off about an intriguing job opportunity: a street play research officer. Which global city, you may wonder, is showing such a strong interest in this topic? Mumbai, perhaps? Nope. Rio de Janeiro? Wrong again. The answer is New York City. It’s just one sign that street play, often consigned to the black-and-white memories of baby-boomers, is enjoying something of a renaissance.
Posted in Outdoor play, Public policy, Urbanism
Tagged car dependence, child-friendly cities, neighbourhood, outdoor play, playing out, road closure, streets, transport, urban design, urbanism
We only had ten or twelve people take part over the two days, but I’m still buzzing after last weekend’s Open House play space tours. Why?
Posted in Outdoor play, Public space, Urbanism
Tagged Camden, child-friendly cities, EC1, London, neighbourhood, Open House, outdoor play, play space, playground, public space, urban design
A nice audio news piece on road closures for play, as broadcast on the BBC Radio 4 programme PM on Weds 3 August 2011. Featuring the wonderful people at Bristol’s Playing Out campaign, some local Bristolians, and yours truly.
Posted in Mobility, Outdoor play, Parenting, Urbanism
Tagged audio, child-friendly cities, Media coverage, mobility, neighbourhood, outdoor play, parenting, playing out, road closure, streets
Today is Playday, the annual play celebration. I am going to take a step back from the festivals, the Council fun days and the PR campaigning, important though they are. Instead, I want to explore one of the reasons why so many children are losing out on the opportunity to play outside in the first place: the car.
Posted in Mobility, Outdoor play, Parenting, Public policy, Urban planning, Urbanism
Tagged car dependence, child pedestrian casualties, child-friendly cities, children's independent mobility, freedom, mobility, neighbourhood, outdoor play, parenting, planning policy, playing out, public policy, road closure, road danger, road safety, streets, transport, urban design
Rethinking Childhood 