By the end of March 2011 each Pathfinder will be expected to have developed 28 public play areas.
The 30 Pathfinders will also each deliver at least one large staffed adventure playground or play park, costing around £800k. These sites should be open-access, with children generally free to come and go as they please and free of charge.
Proludic worked closely with Local Authorities to advise on the process and implementation of this investment. The timescale given for the first year spend presented a challenge to many wave 1 authorities and pathfinders were tasked with experimenting with new and unique ways of presenting play opportunities for local children.
Proludic developed a series of tools to help deliver the programme. Procurement systems, consultation advice and events, play area audits and play area design advice were provided and are available for those authorities embarking on this next wave of investment.
Many of the wave 1 Pathfinders elected to work with Landscape Architects to deliver their projects however Proludic will be delivering a number of multiple site contracts and supply of equipment for the following Wave 1 pathfinders: Nottingham City, East Riding of Yorkshire, Knowsley BC, Sunderland, North Tyneside and Dudley.
Proludic have also worked with key industry figures to run a series of education seminars to support individuals tasked with implementing the programme. Key speakers included Aileen Shackell, Tim Gill and Adam White, with representatives from FIT and RoSPA.
In particular, the DCSF will expect ‘development’ in this context to mean the complete or substantial replacement of old equipment for new or the building of a completely new play area. They are particularly looking for sites that are innovative and attractive to children, particularly 8-13 year olds and which are inclusive for disabled children and minority groups.