The council has given full backing to the introduction of a series of play statements, a new play charter for Cambridge and some very exciting, innovative play projects to happen across the city.
Councillor Sheila Stuart, executive councillor for community development and health, approved the charter and programme of activities following the Community Services Scrutiny Committee on July 17.
Councillor Stuart said:
"Urban Adventure Play is the council's response to growing demands nationally and locally to take play back to basics, promote outdoor play, encourage children to take more risks and, most important of all, to have fun.
"The Children and Young People's Participation Service (ChYpPS) will be leading this new initiative but we will be working closely with a wide range of partners and, of course, children, young people and their families, to make it all happen."
Funding for the programme has been provided by government and is administered by the Big Lottery. £200,000 will be available for three years to support a number of projects including:
- the Community Play Boat delivering open access and targeted sessions on board a customised narrow boat from temporary riverside moorings. The boat will also be available for short residential project
- an Urban Adventure Play Base where staff, children and young people will learn new skills to support adventurous play
- Play Trails will create play spaces with interactive trails through woods and around the ponds. There will be downloadable activity packs available on the ChYpPS webpages and children, young people and local artists will be involved in the creation and installation of the trails
- Bramblefields Community Play Space - an open access project to encourage greater ownership by children and young people of the local nature reserve in East Chesterton. This project will include the installation of new natural play equipment and play trails
For more information about the projects or the play statements call ChYpPS on 01223 457873 or visit the website at www.cambridge.gov.uk/chypps.
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