Epsilon Open Archive

Abstract

The great changes that have occurred nationally in conditions for playground management in the past 20 years have probably affected municipal playground provision at local level. This report describes some examples of how municipal authorities are dealing with the playground issue today through four main topics; 1) the provision of playgrounds and trends in that area; 2) the strategies and actions of municipal authorities; 3) factors affecting playground management; and 4) the need for more knowledge and support. From autumn 2005 to spring 2006, telephone interviews were conducted with employees in 23 Swedish municipal authorities. The subjects were randomly selected, but with some spread in the size, geographical placement and status of the authority to provide different examples of how authorities might address the playground issue. There were great differences between the municipal authorities represented as regards existing provision, economic conditions and strategies for playground provision. Demands on safety standards in combination with straitened economic circumstances have forced municipal authorities to modify playgrounds and many have been removed, especially during the 1990s. Some municipal authorities have thereafter experienced an economic upturn and allocated new resources to playgrounds, while other have held off or have continued to remove playgrounds. The overall number of playgrounds has declined, partly through cost cutting and partly through strategic decisions to invest in fewer, larger units. There is great uncertainty about how playgrounds should be managed and about the playground provision strategies that should be adopted. In municipal authorities where specific strategies exist, these normally centre on provision of a few large, centrally placed and attractive units, plus a few small, basic units. In some places, all small units have been removed. Specific investments have been made to increase safety and disabled access. In some municipal authorities, strategic decisions are based on local surveys or consultation with users. The great differences uncovered in strategies, access and quality of municipal playgrounds, which can be attributed to recent changes in conditions for playground management, indicate it is time to begin focusing on children’s access to outdoor play environments. Further studies of playground management and the conditions for this are urgently required.