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Fair Play Barnet consultation

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This consultation has now closed.

Overview

Fair Play Barnet is a playground where everyone is able to play together regardless of ability. The concept is an accessible and inclusive play space, where the equipment will be suitable for children with disabilities and adults with disabilities. We believe it will be the first playground like this in the country.

A third party came to the council with the idea and asked if we had anywhere suitable. We have identified Victoria Recreation Ground as a suitable site and we have been working with the third party on developing the idea. The cost of the draft design is

Overview

Fair Play Barnet is a playground where everyone is able to play together regardless of ability. The concept is an accessible and inclusive play space, where the equipment will be suitable for children with disabilities and adults with disabilities. We believe it will be the first playground like this in the country.

A third party came to the council with the idea and asked if we had anywhere suitable. We have identified Victoria Recreation Ground as a suitable site and we have been working with the third party on developing the idea. The cost of the draft design is around £500,000. This will mainly be externally funded and the council will make a contribution towards this cost.


What are we seeking your views on?

We would like to know what you think of the equipment proposed for the playground and what you think about the layout of the playground.


How can you give us your views?

There is a choice of three questionnaires for you to complete. Please click on the most appropriate link in terms of what capacity you are responding:

To request a questionnaire in an alternative format, please telephone 020 8359 7404 or write to Greenspaces, London Borough of Barnet, 2 Bristol Avenue, Colindale, NW9 4EW.

As part of the engagement process will also be attending different community groups in Barnet to share more information about our proposals and seek their views. If you would like us to attend your group, please e mail us at: fairplaybarnet@barnet.gov.uk.



What happens next?

The working group will review the outcomes of the consultation to see what people think of the play facilities proposed and the layout. The outcomes will then be discussed with the play contractor, to see what changes it is possible to do within the funding that is available. The working group will then agree the final plans with the play contractor and the play contractor will be commissioned to carry out the work. The work is likely to take place in late 2023.

The council will publish the consultation findings and how we are acting on the results of the consultation under ‘We asked, You said, We Did.’
This consultation has now closed.

  • We asked, you said, we did

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    We asked

    We asked for your views on the equipment and layout proposed for the new accessible and inclusive playground at Victoria Recreation Ground.

    You said

    The consultation consisted of three online questionnaires. We received 24 responses to the professional questionnaire, 71 responses to the family and friends’ questionnaire and 16 responses to the potential user’s questionnaire. We also received seven direct emails.

    The key themes from the public consultation were:

    • respondents asked if the equipment can be used by children and adults, and those in wheelchairs
    • over 80% of respondents said they would visit an inclusive playground
    • concern that the existing playground at Victoria Recreation Ground will be removed
    • request for more swinging items
    • request for more sound and sensory items
    • request for climbing equipment
    • concern that the new equipment will be vandalised
    • request for toilets including Changing Places toilet nearby
    • respondents asked what the parking arrangements would be.

    We did

    Following the feedback, we are working on a revised design including some different equipment.

    The equipment that will be included in the final design can be used by a wide age range and physical abilities. The intention is that there will be something for everyone. Most of the equipment can be used by children and adults. Some equipment can only be used by children, as we have been unable to source an adult version. There is equipment that can be used by those in wheelchairs, such as the swing, the roundabout and the seesaw. We are unable to have a hoist in the playground.

    The existing playground at Victoria Recreation Ground will remain; this is an additional playground which aims to be accessible and inclusive.

    There are several swinging items in the design including a wheelchair swing, two mirage swing seats and a nest swing. We are not planning on adding more swinging items to the design.

    We have added more sound and sensory items into the revised design, with items that can be banged, spun and pushed, that create sound and/or patterns.

    We are working to see if we can install a climbing net or similar into the revised design.

    All the equipment has a lifetime guarantee. Vandalism can occur and we have tried to design the playground with this in mind.

    New Barnet Leisure Centre is very close to the proposed playground. It has one Changing Places toilet and two accessible toilets.

    In the local area there are the following parking options: the car park for the New Barnet Leisure Centre, the small car park on Park Road which is part of the park, and on street parking. Once the Fair Play Barnet playground has been constructed, we plan to undertake a user survey to understand if there are any specific challenges or barriers that require action. We will also listen to the comments from local residents.