To Pathfinders and Play Builders - a note from PLAYLINK

We're delighted that at last significant funds are being directed towards play. Not a moment before time.

But we also see that the sudden influx of funds, attached as they are to unhelpful, short-term timescales, can make an opportunity feel like a problem.

Momentum must of course be generated and sustained - but at measured pace. Investments made now will expand, or limit, this and future generations' play opportunities. The play space investments now to be made can be attractive, enhancing a local 'sense of place', or be standard, identikit places that could be located anywhere.

Isn't it time to…

Pause for Play - in order to better move forward with pace and confidence.

We're here to assist on all play matters including what is called 'consultation'. (In our experience, unhelpful approaches to consultation too often undermine the very things we wish to achieve.)

Designs for Play - full design and implementation service delivered by PLAYLINK Associate Landscape Architects and Designers.

Local Play Space Review and Assessment - revealing the scope of possibility for existing and proposed provision in your area.

Dialogue, not consultation - the approach we use in our design commissions.

Negligence, play and risk - authoritative legal opinion to assist your authority to feel more confident about offering acceptable levels of risk in play.

London Play Study Tour - a study tour of PLAYLINK's and others' designed play spaces. An opportunity to see what can be done and to raise practical questions.

Stirling Play Study Tour - the study tours have had a gratifyingly positive response. A September tour is now being planned.

Unleashing Possibility Seminars - brought to your area to engage with all stakeholders that have an impact on play provision: Members, H&S Officers, Planners, Play Officers, Third Sector. Stimulates both the mind and the heart.

Risk assessment workshops for play providers - helps practitioners' understand the risk/play equation, creating the confidence to translate knowledge into practice.

Lost conversations: some thoughts on consultation - article described by some as helpful in clearing the mental cobwebs around the ceaseless chatter about 'consultation'.

PLAYLINK works with numerous authorities and play providers in the areas of design of play schemes across settings - parks, designated playspaces, schools, nurseries - policy, Planning, and the knotty issue of risk and play.

Our independence means that we address each individual brief in terms appropriate to it - PLAYLINK has no standard, fixed response tied to a particular product or approach.

PLAYLINK believes play spaces can and should:

• be strongly attractive places to play and simply to be
• relate to the surrounding natural or built environment
• provide materials for play that invite sustained engagement
• offer opportunities to take risks - and to be quiet and contemplative
• include equipment where appropriate
• contribute to each locality's sense of place.

« Click here to contact PLAYLINK or phone 020 7720 2452 »

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