01 Apr FOIs reveal a continuing decline in play park facilities in the UK
In the UK, one in eight children live in households with no gardens. As a result, many families rely on safe public play areas for outdoor exercise and activities within their local communities.
Recent research has also shown that outdoor play has huge benefits for children’s physical health, mental health and emotional well-being.
However, new FOI requests, conducted by Aggregate Industries, the UK’s leading manufacturer and supplier of sustainable construction and building materials, who also are actively involved in the support and build of playgrounds across the country, show that almost 800 playgrounds have closed over the last ten years.
This new data shows a total of 793 playgrounds have been closed in the UK over the last ten years. It also revealed that there have been 28,734 reports of vandalism and 2,786 injuries in play parks across the UK over the last five years.
The latest data comes after a separate series of freedom of information requests revealed local authorities shut 214 playgrounds in financial years 2014-16, blaming ‘unprecedented budget constraints’.
Reflecting on the recent insights, Kirstin McCarthy, Director of Sustainability of Aggregate Industries, said: “We know that playgrounds and access to them are an essential provision for young families – not only for physical wellbeing but also mental and emotional wellbeing too.
“We understand budgets are tight and funding to local governments is squeezed but naturally to see the closure of so many playgrounds is still surprising.
“Supporting the development of local communities is one of the key goals for Aggregate Industries and our sites actively contribute to the social and economic well-being of surrounding communities.
“We have worked in partnership with our local stakeholders providing specialist surfacing, concrete and aggregates for local playgrounds, skateparks and schools and see the huge positive difference it can make.
“We want to do what we can to ensure access to good facilities isn’t a postcode lottery. Every child deserves to play.”
