Play strategy for the former Wycombe district area 2017 to 2022

The national standards are taken from Fields In Trust and the associated publication Planning and Design for Outdoor Space and Play.

The LAP is a small area of open space laid out for young children to play close to where they live. A local area for play does not require any specific play equipment but is designed to encourage informal play and social interaction. General characteristics of a LAP include:

• intended primarily for children up to the age of 6 (although may be used by older children at different times of day/evening)
• it is within one minute’s walking time of their home
• it is best positioned beside a well-used pedestrian route
• the recommended minimum activity zone is 100 sq.m
• there should be a buffer zone of 5m minimum depth that separates the activity zone and the forward-most part of the nearest dwelling that faces the LAP
• depending on location, there may be a 600mm guardrail, low fence or planting to indicate the perimeter
• signage should indicate that the area is for children’s play and that dogs re not welcome

This is an area of open space specifically designated and laid out with features including equipment for children who are beginning to go out and play independently close to where they live, usually within 5 minutes’ walking time. Play features including equipment are integral to a LEAP, but it is important that space be provided for physical activity and games. General characteristics of a LEAP include:

• it is intended primarily for children who are beginning to go out and play independently
• it is within five minutes’ walking time of the child’s home
• it is best positioned beside a well-used pedestrian route
• it occupies a well-drained, reasonably flat site surfaced with grass or a hard surface, together with impact absorbing surfaces beneath and around play equipment or structures as appropriate
• recommended minimum activity zone is 400 sq. m
• there should be a buffer zone of 10m minimum depth that separates the activity zone and the boundary of the nearest property containing a dwelling
• a minimum of 20 metres should normally be provided between the activity zone and the habitable room façade of the nearest dwelling
• it is designed to provide a stimulating and challenging play experience that may include equipment providing opportunities for balancing, rocking, climbing, overhead activity, sliding, swinging, jumping, crawling, rotating, imaginative play, social play and play with natural materials such as sand and water, or other activities. Provision for a minimum of 6 play experiences is recommended
• boundaries should be recognisable by landscaping. Perimeter fences are generally considered inappropriate though some fencing may be necessary if the site adjoins one or more roads
• seating for accompanying adults and siblings should be provided, along with one or more litterbins
• there should be a sign indicating that the area is for children’s play and that dogs are not welcome. The name and telephone number of the facility operator should be provided with an invitation to report any incident or damage to the LEAP or play equipment

This is an area of open space specifically designated, laid out and equipped mainly for older children, but with play opportunities for younger children as well. Located within 15 minutes’ walk from home, the NEAP is sufficiently large to enable provision for play opportunities that cannot be provided within a LAP or LEAP. A NEAP can provide a greater variety of opportunity for both active and passive play. It can provide play equipment, and a hard surface area for ball games or wheeled activities such as roller skating or cycling. It may provide other facilities such as a ramp for skateboarding, a rebound wall and a shelter for meeting and socialising. General characteristics of a NEAP include:

• intended primarily for use by older children of relative independence, who have the freedom to range further from home
• it is within 15 minutes’ walking time of the child’s home
• it is best positioned beside a well-used pedestrian route
• it occupies a well-drained site, with both grass and hard surfaced areas, together with impact absorbing surfaces beneath and around play equipment or structures as appropriate
• recommended minimum activity zone of 1000 sq. m, comprising an area for play equipment and structures, and a hard surfaced area of at least 465 sq. m (the minimum needed to play 5-a-side football)
• a buffer zone of at least 30 metres minimum depth normally separates the activity zone and the boundary of the nearest property containing a dwelling
• it is designed to provide a stimulating and challenging play experience that may include equipment providing opportunities for balancing, rocking, climbing, overhead activity, sliding, swinging, jumping, crawling, rotating, imaginative play, social play and play with natural materials such as sand and water, ball games, wheeled areas or other activities. Provision for a minimum number of 9 play experiences is recommended
• there is adequate space within the area of the NEAP to allow children to be generally active and play ‘chase’ type games
• boundaries should be recognisable by landscaping. Perimeter fences are generally considered inappropriate though some fencing may be necessary if the site adjoins one or more roads
• seating for accompanying adults and siblings should be provided, together with one or more litterbins
• there should be a sign indicating that the area is for children’s play and that dogs are not welcome. The name and telephone number of the facility operator should be provided with an invitation to report any incident or damage to the NEAP or play equipment
• convenient and secure parking facilities for bicycles should be provided

• MUGA’s can serve as play facilities for children and can be used both formally and informally. They should be marked out for a range of activities, robustly made with ease of maintenance in mind and be free to use
• the selected site should be free of steep gradients and slopes, unstable ground and very exposed terrain. Trees should not be located near a MUGA. A location near to car parks and support facilities can be helpful and good access for people with disabilities is essential
• floodlighting is recommended to maximise the potential use of the MUGA, but it may need to be tempered to an acceptable level in dense urban areas
• the dimension of a MUGA should typically be at least 25 metres by 40 metres. A distance of 30 metres from dwellings is recommended
• MUGA’s are best designed with ‘slots’ instead of gates. This allows for access without payment and helps the possibility of a quick and easy escape

Skate park facilities are usually best sited in central and visible locations in relation to the neighbouring area. Co-location is generally positive and successful skate parks are often located next to or on existing sports complexes, in public parks or adjacent to schools. By situating facilities in accessibly and visible locations, anti-social behaviour can be minimised.

A skate park should be a challenging and exciting skating environment for all abilities from beginner upwards. Elements that can be designed include transitions, ramps, grind rails, blocks, walls, stairs and open space for free style board and BMX works. Consideration must be carefully given to the buffer zone to nearest dwellings and this may be greater than the 30 metres recommended for a NEAP.

Signage with contact details for facility problems and correct usages should be clearly displayed.

Youth shelters should represent an unstructured environment where young people can meet in relative safety, in the absence of adults and talk about whatever they choose without unwanted interruption from others, and without the possibility of causing unnecessary offence. They are places for sitting and talking.

Youth shelters should ideally be located with sports facilities such as a MUGA or other play and recreation provision such as a LEAP. The shelter provides a covered place to sit and talk. A roof provides shelter from the weather, and the side may be open all round or partially screened. However, the need for shelter has to be balanced against the need for all round visibility, ‘natural policing’ and the safety of users.

Lighting can provide an increased level of safety and increases the use of the shelters, while making them and those using them more visible, but light pollution can be an issue especially in rural areas. Automatic lighting systems can ensure turn on and off at the right times area are less prone to vandalism.

A destination playground is a play space within a key site such as a park. It is aimed at attracting family and similar groups for longer visits. It tends to be larger than neighbourhood sites, have car parking facilities, a greater variety of fixed play equipment and access to facilities such as cafes and public toilets. Disabled children should be made to feel welcome, with suitable access arrangements in place and adaptations being made to equipment where appropriate.

A destination playground is an important family facility and it will be highly valued. However, a destination playground should not become a replacement for the opportunity to play within walking distance of their home, in play areas or elsewhere. It is therefore no substitute for local provision.

The destination playground should appeal to children and young people of all ages and will normally be located within 20 minutes’ drive time.