Play Strategy for Carrickfergus Borough
31 October 2012
Venture.i Network have been appointed by Carrickfergus Borough Council to carry out the research and draft a Play Strategy for the Council.
We want the Carrickfergus Borough Play Strategy to be the best and so we need YOUR help. Your views will be recorded and used to write a play strategy for the Borough of Carrickfergus. This is a document that acts like a map charting what we as a Council need to do over the next four years to improve play opportunities in the area. We have called the Borough's Play Review ‘Green Kids in Outer Space’ (see link: www.carrickfergusgreenkids.org) and consultation will be starting soon at local schools, groups etc.
What is Green Kids in Outer Space all about?
Well, it's neither an intergalactic science experiment nor an attempt to make you to eat more peas (even though you should)...... Green Kids in Outer Space is about offering children and young people from across the Borough an opportunity to tell Carrickfergus Borough Council what stops you from being able to play and what would make play easier and better for you and your friends. Your views will be recorded and used to write a play strategy for the Borough of Carrickfergus. This is a document that acts like a map charting what we as a Council need to do over the next four years to improve play opportunities in the area.
The Council's mission is to create child and family friendly play spaces which will support you in building relationships and learning new skills that will be of benefit to you and your friends. The project aims not only to improve links between the Council and the young people in the area, but also promote and improve how the Council plans changes and works with other organisations. This project is a brand new approach to planning for Council and it hopes it will radically change the way the Council thinks about and provides for children and young people's play space. It will challenge both those involved to use the outcomes of this project as a blueprint whenever taking decisions that affect children's play opportunities.
Why is this so important to Council?
Many children and young people face restrictions on their play areas on a daily basis. This may be due to heavy traffic and congested roads, a loss of public open space, and parental fears relating to child safety. In addition, further barriers urban and rural areas, not feeling part of your community, not being given time to play because it's not a convenient time, simply having nowhere to play safely, or not being bothered to play.
In aiming to create a child and family friendly space, the Green Kids in Outer Space Project will at all times, seek to ensure that the child or young person retains choice and control over their own play area as far as is possible. As the play strategy becomes a reality, Council will aim to ensure that play opportunities are created that allow children and young people to explore, change, experience, reclaim and affect their environment, with safety being paramount.
The Green Kids in Outer Space Programme will run in conjunction with other projects from across the Borough to reinforce the benefits of positive play in an attempt to reclaim recreational space and re-engage children and their wider families in positive, inclusive outdoor activity.
Who is funding this mission?
The Green Kids in Outer Space is a project supported by the EU's Peace III programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body and delivered by the Carrickfergus, Antrim and Newtownabbey (CAN) Peace III Partnership.
Who is head of this mission?
The project is being led by the Councillors involved in Parks and Countryside Sub-Committee, with the help of their colleagues in Good Relations. The Officers charged with the mission are called Stephen Daye and Fiona Surgenor. Both Stephen and Fiona would be happy to answer any queries you may have on the project or help you to become involved.
For further information please contact:
Stephen Daye and Fiona Surgenor.
Telephone: 028 93358000
E-Mail: play@carrickfergus.org
