Colchester TIC

Please Remember

  • All children under eight years of age must, by law, be supervised at all times by an adult.
  • Take your litter home with you or place it in the bin provided.
    No dogs in playgrounds, fouling is unhygienic and can be dangerous to health.
  • Play with consideration for other users.
  • Playgrounds are open from 8.30am – dusk unless otherwise stated.
  • Children: Never go with anyone even someone you know without asking Mum or Dad first.
  • Children: Never wander off on the way home from school or after dark.

 

Types Of Playgrounds

Playground CCommunity
These are located in housing estates and offer simple equipment specifically designed for children under the age of 12. Generally there is no segregation between infants (3-6 years) and juniors (6-12 years).

Playground PPark Playgrounds
These are larger and are sited in parks and recreation grounds. These offer more elaborate equipment which is set out differently to appeal to different age groups.

Playground 1111+ Playgrounds
These playgrounds are especially designed areas for older children aged between 12 and 15, with more sophisticated equipment such as basket ball nets, five-a-side football goals, multi-activity courses, climbing walls and seating where young people can meet and socialise. These sites are also separated from other play areas so that younger children can play without being disturbed.

Childrens Playgrounds

We believe that play is a very important part of children’s development. Learning to co-operate and play with others, use the imagination and to experience excitement and challenges all help young people in their preparation for school and adult life.

We provide 51 public playgrounds equipped with a wide variety of equipment to offer interesting play possibilities to local children and young visitors.

Play Safety

We try to ensure that the equipment is safe, attractive and colourful and that it will help young people to enjoy themselves safely as well as learn new skills while they play. All of our playgrounds conform as far as possible to the recommendations of the relevant British Standards for playground facilities.

All playgrounds have dog-proof fences and self-closing gates to prevent contamination of the play surface.

Any play is not without risk and care should be taken at all times. All of out playgrounds have been fitted with impact-absorbing safer surfacing designed to prevent traumatic head injury in the event of a fall. However, these surfaces cannot prevent long bone fractures, sprain injuries, knocks and grazes.

Playground Opening Times

Most playgrounds are open between 8.30am and dusk but those situated on school premises have more restricted access times and are not available for public use during school hours and in term times.

For information about opening times, any restrictions of use and information on where to report any vandalism, misuse or general comments see the sign on each site.

Play for Children with Disabilities

Many of our playgrounds offer play for youngsters with disabilities. Some sites have level rubber surfacing to assist with wheelchair access. There are brightly coloured decorative play panels with ‘feely’ patterns to assist those with visual difficulties and all of our sites offer the opportunity for children of all abilities to play together. Entrance gates are painted in bright colours to aid and guide visitors and we provide seating for the use of carers and supervising adults.

Playground Care

We inspect and clean all our playgrounds on a weekly basis and aim to respond to any damage or problems as soon as possible. If you need to report any vandalism or misuse please contact us during office hours or telephone the Council’s out of hours emergency service on (01206) 548444.

Playground Locations

See the full list of playground locations.

Playground Development Plan

Colchester Borough Council has a policy for the provision of a high quality playground service. This seeks to up-grade existing playgrounds and to identify sites and provide new facilities where needed throughout the district. The plan is reviewed every two years and considers the changing pattern of use and numbers of children in the area. Careful consideration is also given to changes in design practise and British and European Standards for play, together with the opinions ad views of local residents.

Other Playgrounds

We provide some playgrounds in surrounding villages but most rural playgrounds are provided by Parish Councils. Part of the Playground Development Plan gives Parish Councils the opportunity to provide modern play facilities with Colchester Borough Council providing 90% of the development cost. This ensures that children in rural areas have equal opportunity for play. We also work with developers to provide playgrounds on new housing areas as part of the planning process.he listed buildings on the site