Highland Council’s Playpark Strategy highlighted in Scottish Government publication
Highland youth have been credited for their contribution to Highland Council’s nationally recognised Playpark Strategy after it was referenced in the evidence base and supporting research of the Scottish Government’s Play Vision Statement and Action Plan 2025-2030.
The Play Vision Statement and Action Plan is designed to reflect the vision of play for Scotland for the next five years and the steps the Scottish Government will take within that time to achieve its vision and aim.
Cllr Graham MacKenzie, Chair of the Council’s Communities and Place Committee said: “We are delighted that our Playpark Strategy has been acknowledged in the evidence base and supporting research of a nationally recognised publication. By prioritising the voices of young people and recognising the value of listening to what they wanted in their local playparks, we have created a child-led strategy and action plan that has played a part in influencing best practice. We are extremely proud to be the only local authority referenced alongside prominent organisations including Harvard University, Public Health Scotland and the University of Cambridge.”
Agreed in November 2023, Highland Council’s Playpark Strategy and Action Plan for 2023-2033 was underpinned by consultations and surveys with children alongside the development of a literature review which evidenced the health and social benefits of playing in playparks and how skills learnt from play can positively shape children in the future.
Key themes identified by young people in relation to playparks included:
- Access to a variety of play options for children of all ages and abilities
- Local playparks within easy reach of home
- Functional and well-maintained play equipment
- Open spaces for running and active play
- Opportunities for collaborative play through equipment designed for group interaction
Cllr MacKenzie continued: “Combined with our own literature review highlighting the health benefits of outdoor play, the insights and preferences of children in the Highlands were central to shaping the Playpark Strategy and we would like to thank all the children and young people who supported the development of the strategy.
“We recognise the importance of play and playparks for children, in terms of the benefits they provide to their physical, social and mental health, and our strategy has guided us in providing children and communities with opportunities to design their own sustainable and inclusive park parks for increased health and wellbeing and a brighter future for our younger generations.”
To find out more about the support available to local communities for child-led playpark upgrades, please contact Highland Council’s Playpark Coordinator lynn.macgillivray@highland.gov.uk.