Publicly accessible outdoor play facilities

WQ.7/2025

WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

BY DEPUTY L.M.C. DOUBLET OF ST. SAVIOUR

QUESTION SUBMITTED ON MONDAY 20th JANUARY 2025 ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON MONDAY 27th JANUARY 2025

Question

"In relation to publicly accessible outdoor play facilities, will the Minister –

1. provide a map of all the facilities available across all Parishes;
2. advise who owns the land;
3. state the ages each facility is aimed at;
4. detail the source of funding for the maintenance and upkeep of the facilities; and
5. advise whether there are any additional play facilities planned in any Parish?"

Answer

1. There is currently work being undertaken on a Play Strategy for Jersey, this will assist in developing an approach on play spaces in Jersey that meets the needs of children and young people in the long term. The Strategy will have a focus on available indoor and outdoor play facilities across the whole island and will be a key document to advocate for long term plans to ensure that play spaces are available and protected.

As part of this work a mapping process will be completed to identify what resources we have across the whole island and where there are areas without play spaces. A priority in the strategy will be assessing which areas need further resources or facilities and what they should be, taking into consideration that not all parishes will need the same facilities, and we need to have a range of play experiences for children.

2. The Map will enable the public to see an overview of what play spaces there are in Jersey and will include details such as the ownership of the land. Each play space will be rag rated to demonstrate accessibility, available facilities such as parking and toilets, condition of the area/equipment and the equipment/apparatus available.
3. The map will help the public to identify suitable play spaces in their location and which ones across the island suit the needs/age of their children. The list of facilities at each play space should enable parents to identify what would be age appropriate for their child, taking into consideration that age appropriateness can range from child to child. Families with children of a broad age range may look for specific apparatus or facilities at a park that all children will enjoy rather than the age range.
4. Play spaces owned by Government of Jersey are periodically maintained (and funded) by the Infrastructure & Environment Department. There are several play spaces owned by parishes, which are funded and maintained by each parish respectively.
5. At this time there are no additional play facilities being planned. There are some enhancements being made to existing play spaces such as Millenium Town Park and Springfield. The mapping activity will act as a tool to identify what is currently available and how it could be enhanced. It will also identify where there are gaps in play provision and any actions based upon those identified gaps will need to be considered long term.