Nottingham has been selected as one of 15 national Play Pathfinders by the Government, bringing more than £2 million to redevelop and maintain 28 playgrounds in the city and to build a new staffed adventure playground.

The adventure playground will have indoor and outdoor facilities, specifically aimed at improving play opportunities for eight to 13-year-olds where they currently lack places to go and things to do, often in disadvantaged areas.

The location of the adventure playground has still to be decided. Nottingham’s children, young people and their communities will have a central role in developing the new play sites with natural landscapes and challenging equipment that will give all children the opportunity to play actively outdoors.

Councillor Jane Urquhart, Nottingham City Council’s Portfolio holder for Children’s Services, said: “We are thrilled that Nottingham’s children and young people will get a new adventure playground and that we will be able to develop existing playgrounds to make them exciting and innovative places to play.

“Nottingham’s success is down to the staff and volunteers from all sectors under the leadership of Nottingham’s Play Partnership that includes representatives from the City Council, the voluntary, community and private sectors who are all involved in developing safe places for children to play in Nottingham. Their work provided the backbone for the bid for funding.”

Pathfinder status is recognition of Nottingham’s Play Partnership’s work with children and families.  The funding is part of a national £225 million play investment programme announced in the Government’s Children’s Plan in December.

Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, Ed Balls, said:  “I want every child in this country to be able to benefit which is why I’m announcing today the biggest investment in play ever so that we can see 3,500 more playgrounds and 30 adventure playgrounds around the country.  

“We need exciting and stimulating places for children to play which are close to where they live and easy for them to get to.  But this is not just about designated spaces – public play spaces are an essential part of any community.  I want local communities and children themselves to play a key role in making public spaces more child friendly.  Let’s see an end to the no ball games culture and a start of a new era where children’s needs and children’s play areas are at the heart of the planning process from start to finish.”