Background

In 2008 Portsmouth City Council were awarded a grant of £ 2.5million as part of the Play Pathfinder to improve 28 play areas and build a new Adventure Playground.

Play Pathfinder is distinct from other play initiatives in that its aim, through this funding, is to design & equip play sites that encourage risk & challenge especially for 8 and 13 year olds. Getting away from the 'off-the-peg' play sites and instead designing 'equipment' that use natural materials and stimulate creativity. It is also about creating initiatives that begin to break down the barriers that children have in accessing their local environment as sites of play i.e. attitudes, road danger etc.

To facilitate the departure in thinking behind the design of Play Pathfinder play sites, the dcsf (department for children, schools and families) in partnership with Play England produced the guide to creating successful play spaces – ‘Design for Play.’
Included in this are: the 10 principles for designing successful play spaces – Successful play spaces…
• Are bespoke
• Are well located
• Make use of natural materials
• Provide a wide range of play experiences
• Are accessible to both disabled and non-disabled children
• Meet community needs
• Allow children of different ages to play together
• Build in opportunities to experience risk and challenge
• Are sustainable and appropriately maintained
• Allow for change and evolution

Introduction

This aim of this blog is to document the creation of a series of artworks that will improve the play value of Milton Common for young people. My hope is that this publication will give an insight into the creative process behind the decision making and encourage ongoing discussion throughout the design process.