Play is an important part of everyone's childhood and this week Summer of Parks looks at both how play can be encouraged and the impact that play has.
Be it building a den or having a go on the swings, play in our parks takes many forms and this week, to coincide with national Play Day on Wednesday, Summer of Parks celebrates the impact and importance of play.
Wednesday 7th August is national PlayDay and there are events taking place across the UK to celebrate this year's theme, Play Builds Children. You can see if there are any events taking place near you on the PlayDay website.
One Small ThingThis week we're asking you to consider what opportunties for play currently exist at your local park. These may be more formal in nature, such as a set of swings and a slide, or they may be more informal such as places to explore and for kids to let their minds grow.
To start our eleventh Summer of Parks week we're taking a look at the importance of play for children's development as well as how we're putting it at the centre of our work.
Read more
We welcome to Summer of Parks a guest blog from Mark Hardy, Chairman of the Association of Play Industries, who reflects on the importance of play and shares their latest research findings.
Read more
Our latest Summer of Parks spotlight shines on Kay Park in Kilmarnock, highlighting the work they do year-round to encourage and champion play, including their annual Playday event.
Read more
As Summer of Parks discusses play, we hear from Fields in Trust Ambassador Graeme Le Saux on the importance of outdoor spaces for children to explore. pic.twitter.com/QhRsIozRCq
— Fields in Trust (@FieldsInTrust) August 10, 2019
We welcome a guest blog from Marguerite Hunter Blair, Chief Executive of Play Scotland and Fields in Trust Scotland Committee member, who discusses the importance of outdoor experiences for children's development.
Read more
Fields in Trust is an independent charity with over 90 years’ experience protecting parks and green spaces. We work with landowners, community groups and policy makers to champion the value of our parks and green spaces to achieve better protection for their future at both local and national level.
You can donate to support our work to protect, support and champion green spaces for good.