Charity calls for national policy on creation and funding of recreation space

SCOTLAND is creating an "anti-children culture" by failing to provide enough play areas and outdoor facilities for youngsters.

A Play Scotland report on provision for children found that only 38% of local authorities have a policy or strategy on play, and only 25% offered children free access to leisure centres. The study also revealed a lack of playgrounds in urban areas, where the number of children per playground often exceeds the national average of 255.

Representatives from the children's charity met children and early years minister Adam Ingram last week and urged the Scottish government to establish binding requirements on the creation and protection of recreation space.

"Councils themselves didn't seem to know how much they spent or have any firm planned provision for play areas," said Marguerite Hunter Blair, director of Play Scotland. "What we've already got is in immense jeopardy, because there's no statutory duty on local authorities. We asked the minister for a national policy and minimum standards for how much play space should be provided."

The report found too many new playparks were built ad hoc as the result of pressure by neighbourhood groups, without any wider commitments. Hunter Blair believes the funding of play areas and programmes is slipping down the list of priorities as some councils cut back on provision for children to cover financial black holes.

"Children always seem to be the first to lose out," she said. "With fear of anti-social behaviour, we seem to have a problem with seeing any kids outside or on the streets at all. It's crazy to have that level of intolerance. We have an anti-children culture in Scotland now."

The Play Scotland report found that Edinburgh had 455 children per playground, the greatest density in the country. A city council spokesman said: "Edinburgh's investment in playparks has been among the highest in Scotland. This report does not look at differences between councils, nor does it take size or quality of play areas into consideration.

"We have chosen to invest in high-quality provision which complements Edinburgh's abundance of green space, in areas accessible to many children."

Ingram outlined the government's commitment to early years care at last Wednesday's parliamentary debate on early intervention. The minister has shown interest in the Scandinavian approach to outdoor teaching and learning in tackling obesity and poverty.

A Scottish government spokeswoman said: "Ministers are interested in outdoor learning and will be considering what role it might play in future policy. Our early years strategy is an opportunity to set out a new strategic direction for play but the government is not limiting policy on play to the early years."

Dr Jonathan Sher, head of policy and research at Children in Scotland, agreed the Nordic model of early years care could offer interesting lessons. "Unstructured, outdoor free play as happens in nature kindergartens is particularly beneficial," he said. "We expect the Scottish government's forthcoming early years strategy will rightly place an emphasis on increasing and improving play provision throughout the nation."

The Play Scotland report stressed the need for more free access to after-school clubs, leisure centres and community buildings for children in low-income areas. Yet the charity also wants to see a shift in parents' attitudes to letting teens and younger children roam free.

"If you actually ask children where they prefer to play, they want to be outdoors," said Hunter Blair. "The health benefits are well-documented. It also helps them develop social skills, to develop resilience. Creativity comes from playing, exploring and taking risks. Play also helps create a link between children and the environment."

She added: "Too many parents are under the impression you're better off keeping children inside. It's understandable that parents want to know they're safe, so we need to reclaim open space."

More than £7 million was spent by Scottish local authorities on direct play provision last year.