Britain’s playgrounds are turning into no-go areas for the nation’s children – with half (49%) rarely or never visiting one, new research reveals.
Two out of five (44%) parents cite poor condition of equipment as the main reason for keeping their kids away, in the study from leading playground equipment specialist ESP Play.
Safety concerns are the biggest barrier for more than a third (36%), while hygiene issues including excessive dog faeces is the top worry for more than a quarter (28%).
Shockingly, one in three children (32%) have suffered an accident or injury that their parents state was due to poor quality or dangerous playground equipment.
Other obstacles include lack of suitable facilities like shade or seating (22%), and fear of aggression from other children and parents (16%).
The comprehensive study into the nation’s attitudes and experiences of playgrounds demonstrates how sharply playground use has declined in a generation with three quarters (75%) of parents saying they played in local parks at least once a week when they were their children’s age – 44% also revealed that their children play on their phones instead of going to the park, while 39% play video games instead of playing outdoors.
Half (49%) of those surveyed said they had seen drinking, smoking or drug-taking at playgrounds with 23% saying dangerous dogs had been seen at their local play park. Two out of three (67%) called for greater security such as fences and CCTV.
Andrew Wood, Managing Director of ESP Play, said: “We carried out this research to highlight how, as a nation, we are letting our children down by not giving them access to safe and enjoyable outdoor play spaces.
“It’s alarming to discover that HALF of all parents say that their children don’t go to a playground as well as the huge number of injuries from poor quality equipment.
“Four out of five people said that poor equipment, maintenance or safety concerns stopped their children from playing. When playgrounds suffer from poor maintenance and safety hazards, we not only endanger children’s physical safety but also impede their social and emotional development.
“Childhood is supposed to be fun and, by not giving our children the same opportunities we had, we risk damaging future generations.”
Professor Helen Dodd, child psychiatrist and Trustee of Play England, said: “Play is essential for a happy, healthy childhood.
“Having time and space to play gives children the opportunity to express themselves, to explore, to be physically active, to take risks and to have freedom to choose what they want to do. It is really important that children have access to good quality playgrounds.”
The survey of 1,000 parents of young children across the UK gives a snapshot of the condition of play spaces all over the country.
Of those surveyed 54% said local authorities should be doing more to maintain and improve the playgrounds in their local area.
An investigation by ESP Play in February 2024 uncovered a postcode lottery for children with playground spending varying wildly from one local council area to another. The Play Gap Report revealed that cuts to council budgets have led to children in some regions not getting the same opportunities as others.
Andrew Wood is calling on councils to do better for the young people and the communities they serve.