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Summary of the play area visit

The majority of the participants (approx 20 in the 8-13 yrs age range) with the play rangers in the park attend Haymoor School and so had already completed a questionnaire.  Therefore we used this session to illustrate ideas, walk the site and select styles of preferred play equipment from two supplier catalogues.  Specific comments/requests received:

• Mother & 4 children aged 8-14 yrs met on way to skate park area – would like play area moved closer to the centre of things

• Note that floodlight stays on all night at play area – attracts older youths when floodlight at skate park goes off at 10.30

• A really long, really curly slide (tunnel slide perhaps) very popular idea here

• Play trail linking different elements of the space

• Zip Wire

• Aeroskate (re Hamworthy Park)

• Bouncy Seesaw to stand on (ref Hamworthy Park)

• Big spinning disc

• Bouncy wooden disks (ref Alexandra Park)

• Rebound Wall

• Outdoor Table Tennis table

• Litter bin needed by skate park and by play area

• Skate park improvements

Note: when we visited at 3.30pm there were no young people at play area.  Later, at play area, we found three 14 yrs olds on the swings (2F,1M):

• Likes the play area where it is

• "Chavs and drinkers hang out later at night"

• People make rope swings in the woods

• This is the only play area they visit (live 10 mins away) - they swing, wait for mates, chill out

• Would like a seating area (parents of small children have to sit on the floor)

• Slide down the hill to football area

• Cyclo Gym

• Shelter from sun/rain

• Litter bin

• Buddy Swing

• Roundabout

• Football goals in lower field

Summary of visit to Canford Heath Guides

The visit to Canford Heath Guides enabled us to consult 18 girls in the 11 – 16 yrs age range.

The group suggest that more swings are needed at Sherborn Crescent, including basket swings.  They also suggest a seating area for families and a shelter, possibly as part of a climbing frame.  An obstacle course is thought to be a good idea, possibly with tree houses as part of it.  And extending the skate park and adding a zip wire.

Haymoor Middle School

213 questionnaires were returned by Haymoor Middle School - 48% from male pupils and 52% females.  The age range (8-12 yrs) breaks down as follows:

86% of those responding live in the BH17 postcode, 14% from BH12, BH15 and BH18.

Halstock Crescent was named as the park that was visited most (48 respondents), followed by Sherborn Crescent (36 respondents).  Only 8 respondents named Beamish Road as the park they visited most.

Poole Park was named as respondent's favourite park, followed by Whitecliff and Halstock Crescent.  The Heath and Beach were also named as favourite places to play, as well as several other parks.

Favoured play activities were prioritised as follows:

1. Hanging out
2. Climbing
3. Swinging
4. Spinning
5. Rocking
6. Competition
7. Jumping
8. Sliding
9. Balancing

Things to keep in the park:

 “Keep nothing but nature... add a pond and make levers that move things to make it all really fun” (Female, 11)

1. Swings (69%)
2. Slide
3. Monkey bars
4. Climbing frame
5. Nothing
6. Everything
7. Bushes / grass / hills

Things to change in the park:

“Change… all because it is old and nasty and the monkey bars move and there’s glass everywhere” (Male, 12)

 “The paint needs to be toned up to bright red. Needs better swings, as they’re too babyish. It’s getting old so it needs to be painted” (Male, 12)

“Its for 3 year olds, put a better skate park in” (Male, 12)

Changing the slide for a ‘bigger twisty’ one is the most popular suggestion for the park (mentioned by 42 people). Other changes suggested:

• Higher climbing frame (37)

• More / different swings (36)

• Monkey Bars (21)

• Everything (20)

• Comfy benches (14)

• Paint (10)

• Skate park / ramps (7)

• Vegetable patch / more flowers (6)

• Steps (6)

• Nothing (4)

• Tarmac (3)

• Graffiti (2)

• People who camp there (1)

Additions to the park:

“Use field space for other play park equipment” (Female, 10)

A roundabout or spinning chair came up as the top addition to the park - mentioned by 22 respondents.  Other ideas included:

• Goals (with nets) / Rebound Wall (13)

• Climbing Wall (12)

• Range of different equipment (11)

• Shelter (11)

• Trampoline (8)

• Tree house (8)

• Zip Wire (7)

• Low ropes course (7)

• Swimming Pool (7)

• CCTV (6)

• Sandpit (4)

• See saw (3)

• Picnic area (2)

• Toilets (2)

• Play scaffolding (1)

• Gymnastic Beam (1)

• Maze (1)

• Tennis (1)

• Megaphone (1)