Meet the Play Thinkers - evaluating Playbuilder success

For Year 1 projects, eight children between the ages of 8-11 years were recruited from across Poole to monitor and evaluate the improvements made by Year 1 Playbuilder funding.

They had all previously been involved in play projects, or attend schools involved in the Playbuilder consultations.  Places were allocated on a first come first served basis but we attempted to achieve a balance of ages and gender.

They come from Parkstone, Broadstone, Oakdale and Turlin Moor and call themselves 'Play Thinkers'.

During October half term the group gave up 2 days to participate in a programme to devise a method to assess the 11 parks and then complete the inspections.

By discussing what makes a good park the group came up with seven criteria they wanted to check the park against:

Cleanliness

Toilets

Is the equipment clean?

Is the equipment safe?

Is the equipment exciting for 8-13’s?

What is the overall park like?

Is there disabled access?

• The full 12-page document is available to download (Play Thinkers PDF, 720kb)

Play Thinkers met up again during February - April 2010 to re-assess the parks against the same checklist for comparison once the Playbuilder improvements had been completed.

• Three groups of eleven 8-13 year olds have volunteered as Year 2 Play Thinkers.

www.leisureprojects.net

Site compiled for information purposes only.  Please direct any questions or comments to Sarah Austin, Project Officer

© 2010 Borough of Poole Leisure Services, Northmead House, 30-32 Northmead Drive, Creekmoor, Poole BH17 7RP