How to choose and use your outdoor play space
You’re planning a play date, maybe its a party (exciting!) or a family get-together (hugs!). The games and activities are sorted as you’ve bought an UnderSky play pack but where should you meet up? What’s the best outdoor play space to help you play the Undersky way?
Do you sometimes wish you lived near a beautiful ancient woodland, a Country Park or even a National Park? With their well managed pathways, their profusion of wildlife, their handy toilets or coffee shop we are lucky to have some wonderful places to visit. But often we must drive to them or pay to enter, which can create a barrier to getting there. If there’s one positive outcome of Covid-19, it’s the opening of our eyes to what’s on our doorstep. We’ve explored our local neighbourhood. We’ve found new places just round the corner. And we’ve be part of a whole year of seasonal change.
Thanks to the charity Fields in Trust, we have the latest information about the UK’s publicly accessible parks and green spaces. The good news is there is, on average over the whole of the UK, over 30 square metres of green space per person and most of this is within a 10 minute walk from us.
To help you choose the best play space for your needs we’ve put together some handy hints. So if you are organising a party, a family get together or a play date with friends, here’s some ideas to choose where to meet:
Explore your local area and select somewhere with grass and preferably a selection of trees.
Most standard parks and urban green spaces will work. Don't worry about finding an amazing wildlife reserve or ancient woodland (although these would be lovely!). Ideally you're looking for an open grass area 20x10 metres (the size of a tennis court) although a smaller space will work just as well.
Consider the distance to travel. By selecting a site within walking distance or close to public transport links it means your friends are not limited to access the site by car.
How exposed is the site to wind and rain? This is important to consider as your experience of the weather will differ depending upon the landscape of the site.
Consider shelter options. The dense canopy of trees often provides adequate protection from the rain but may be less effective in the winter. If you have a tarpaulin, practice putting this up as a shelter option, using it as a side shelter as well as a roof to protect from the wind.
Check there are no planned sports or activities taking place on the date of your event.
Ensure access to the side is achievable. A long walk to your chose spot will take time with children (3-4 times longer than adult walking).
