London’s iconic Royal Parks are transforming how children experience play in urban environments through their comprehensive Play Strategy 2015-2020. This groundbreaking document outlines how The Royal Parks manage 14 formal playgrounds across 5,000 acres of parkland, serving both local communities and millions of visitors annually. The strategy goes beyond traditional playground equipment to embrace “playable places” – natural spaces where children can climb fallen logs, explore wildlife, and engage with the changing seasons. By recognizing that play doesn’t happen only within fenced areas, The Royal Parks create opportunities for imaginative, physical, and social development throughout their historic landscapes.
The strategy addresses critical challenges facing London’s children, including the highest childhood obesity rates in England and limited access to natural environments – with one in seven London children not visiting green spaces annually. Through innovative approaches like risk-benefit assessment, natural play principles, and inclusive design for children of all abilities, The Royal Parks demonstrate how historic conservation can work hand-in-hand with contemporary child development needs. The document provides practical frameworks for playground audits, community engagement, and staff training while setting ambitious targets for creating natural playable spaces across all eight Royal Parks.
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Want to discover how historic parklands can become dynamic playgrounds that nurture children’s development while preserving natural heritage?
Download the full Royal Parks Play Strategy and explore innovative approaches to urban play provision, risk-benefit assessment methodologies, and proven techniques for creating inclusive play environments. To access the complete document with detailed implementation frameworks and case studies, you must be a member of World Urban Parks. If you’re not yet part of our community, we invite you to join today and enjoy exclusive content, resources, and professional opportunities.
