Active Playful Parks

What is the aim of this workstream?

• To activate and animate greenspaces, ensuring they are inclusive, welcoming, clean and safe, and enhance children's engagement in active play and physical activity.

The approach

The Active Playful Parks workstream involves the regular provision of additional resources (physical equipment, activity sessions, events or staff such as play workers) into greenspace areas to facilitate and support active and risky play, along with a wide range of sustainable activities that will engage different interests and in turn, will attract more families to utilise the park. The action plan created by the neighbourhood steering groups determines the provision of resources with their local greenspace.

The inclusion of opportunities and support for risky play within these spaces can also have a positive impact on children's physical, social and emotional development.

What has been achieved so far?

Since JU:MP commenced, JU:MP commissioned play workers from Play Bradford have delivered a series of pop-up, 'loose parts play' sessions in Peel Park over the summer and after school in 2019-2020. COVID-19 restrictions in 2020-2021 limited the number of children that were able to attend sessions.
Love Exploring has been commissioned to deliver an augmented reality app that encourages families to explore their local greenspace or park. There have been virtual reality dinosaurs in Peel Park and Lister Park, with seasonal variations of the app over Halloween and Christmas periods.
The Cycle Hub have delivered 48 small-scale sessions of cycle skills training, 6 'learn to ride' sessions over July-Sept 2021 and one 'ride leader' training course. 3 Dr Bike sessions (free bike repairs) have also been delivered across two parks and a Youth Centre.

JU:MP held a launch event in Peel Park in June 2019, promoted through local schools. Activities included cricket, dance, cycling, multi-sports, Punjabi street games and outdoor adventurous play.

JU:MP has also supported activity days for early years (held by Better Start Bradford) to ensure provision for younger children.

JU:MP also supported the Great Get Together social event led by the FoPP group, by providing entertainment for children.

JU:MP commissioned BDMC to incorporate a permanently marked mile and half mile loops, and a 400m 'race' in Peel Park. This helps to join up the two main sections of the park, encouraging people to explore a wider area.