Quality play provision a priority for children across the Borough

Children will be able to enjoy a network of quality outdoor play areas distributed equally across the Borough under a new play provision strategy being considered by Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council's Cabinet.  

The Borough currently has 57 play areas which are free for public use at all reasonable times. 

Of these, 40 are owned and managed by the Council, 9 are owned by town and parish councils but managed by the Borough Council, and 8 are owned and managed by housing developers and management companies. 

Cabinet is to consider approving the second stage of the new strategy which will include a recommendation to approve the allocation of £150,000 within the 2026 to 2027 Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) - and subsequent years thereafter.  

This would enable the Council to financially sustain 32 high quality play areas in good condition distributed fairly across the Borough, in addition to the new play area at Stockton Waterfront urban park.

There are currently plans for a further 12 play areas with a diverse range of play equipment and environments to be delivered over the next few years (3 to be provided by the Council and 9 to be provided by housing developers), although this is subject to change.

If the strategy is approved 11 smaller sites will be scheduled for phased decommissioning at the end of their natural lifespan, with the resulting land identified for alternative public use in the form of outdoor public space. However some of these sites could be operational for up to ten more years.  

Councillor Nigel Cooke, the Council's Cabinet Member for Environment, Leisure and Culture, said: "We know that access to play areas is very important to people, especially families, and we regularly review our play area provision across the Borough. 

"Of course that always has to be within the context of the financial challenges the authority, like any, faces. We currently manage or oversee more than 40 play areas across the Borough so it's also important to be clear that we don't have the funds to refurbish or upgrade them all.

"While the Council is under no legal obligation to provide outdoor play provision we want to not only maintain a network of play areas which, taken as a whole, provides welcoming, accessible and inclusive play opportunities to all our residents, but also raises the quality of play provision. 

"This strategy emphasises our commitment to providing quality play provision over quantity, for instance the new Stockton Waterfront urban park will feature three exciting new play areas. 

"We will be targeting investment at those areas that need it most after every play area in the Borough was assessed against the criteria agreed by Cabinet in July.

But the reduction in the number of play parks will only come as those identified reach their natural lifespan, there will be no immediate closure of any sites.

"All of the 11 areas earmarked for gradual decommissioning are classed as smaller doorstep play areas which offer a limited range of equipment, are generally designed to meet the needs of toddlers only, are not usually part of a larger green space or park and have very limited supporting infrastructure such as seating.

"Many are also within close proximity to larger neighbourhood or destination play areas, which have more equipment and are usually designed to meet the needs of all age ranges."

Sites identified for phased decommissioning are:

• Bullgarth, the play area within Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park and Romney Green in Billingham
• Earls Meadow and Simonside in Ingleby Barwick
• Bishopsgarth and Bowesfield in Stockton and Norton
• Mary Street and South Thornaby in Thornaby
• Long Newton
• Thorpe Thewles

Cllr Cooke assured that challenges around disabled access to play areas were an important consideration of the new strategy. 

"We recognise the challenges for people with complex needs, mobility and other disabilities, and the differing needs and abilities of young people will be carefully considered, in collaboration with the Stockton Parent Carer Forum," he said. 

"Although it would not be possible to have equipment suitable for all ages and abilities at every play area we are committed to ensuring there is a range of equipment across the Borough, to make sure children of all abilities and with differing needs have access to appropriate play facilities. 

"We're continually reviewing options to provide a greater level of accessible play provision in our larger play facilities and the new Stockton Waterfront urban park gives us a great opportunity to create the Borough's most accessible play site." 

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