‘…Marguerite Hunter Blair, chief executive of Play Scotland, fears the move may discourage children from playing in parks.
She said: “Parks should be managed primarily for public access and recreation. Some wilder spaces in public parks may be good for biodiversity, but they must be no less accessible and safe for children’s play. For example, the presence of dog faeces and evidence of anti-social behaviour is no more acceptable in wild spaces in parks than it is in intensively managed spaces.
“While making places wilder and increasing access to natural spaces is welcome, it must not be at the expense of children’s outdoor play opportunities. Play Sufficiency Assessments (PSAs) should be carried out to determine local needs.”
Play Scotland successfully campaigned for amendments to the planning act which forced councils to consult children on changes to their local area. The group is working with local authorities to develop guidance for PSAs as part of the implementation of the duty.’
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