Why Children Need to Play in Streets and Car Parks, Not Just Parks
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📰 The quick summary: Research shows that children should have access to ‘grey spaces’ like streets and car parks for play, not just designated parks, as these spaces offer valuable features like accessibility and social connection.
📈 One key stat: Research reveals children have historically played predominantly in streets and ‘grey spaces’ like car parks and pavements, both before and after the emergence of formal playgrounds.
💬 One key quote: “If we fail to value and enable play in grey spaces, we are ignoring – and devaluing – spaces that afford not only diverse and accessible play opportunities, but also the potential for valuable spaces of connection and care.”
1️⃣ The big picture: A debate continues about whether children should only play in designated areas like parks or if they should be allowed to play throughout their neighborhoods in ‘grey spaces’ such as streets, car parks, and pavements. Research highlights that streets have historically been social spaces before cars encroached on them. Many communities now view drivers as the primary legitimate users of streets, forcing children into designated play areas. Recent research shows the distinct value of allowing children to play in these grey urban spaces, which can provide unique benefits beyond what traditional playgrounds offer.
2️⃣ Why is this good news: Grey spaces near children’s homes allow them to play more spontaneously, coming and going easily between indoor and outdoor activities. This proximity enables distanced adult supervision while giving children autonomy to use small bits of time between other commitments. Play in streets and neighborhoods helps children build friendships across age groups and creates spaces of care and belonging. The varied physical features of grey spaces – from kerbs and walls to puddles and surfaces – often provide more diverse play environments than designated play areas. Children playing in these spaces strengthen their connection to neighborhoods and assert their right to use public spaces.
3️⃣ What’s next: Communities need to reconsider the automatic prioritization of green spaces over grey spaces for children’s play. Parents can advocate for their children’s right to play in everyday urban environments. Urban planners should incorporate more child-friendly features in neighborhood design that recognize the value of accessible play spaces beyond traditional parks.
Read the full story here: The Conversation – Children should have a right to play in the streets, alleys, pavements and car parks of their neighbourhoods
