Children need outdoor recreation spaces where they can socialise with others, frolic, play and have fun. Also grown-ups enjoy when they can make use of sports equipment outside in public spaces.

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When creating a new public play, recreation or training area, there are numerous professionals who intervene in the decision process and not always everybody is aware of the wide range of factors and variables which affect the final result and quality of the park.

In that respect, the Spanish Association of Manufacturers of Urban Furniture and Children Playgrounds (AFAMOUR), with vast experience in this field and a complete and objective view on the realised areas, those which did succeed and those which did not, would like to contribute their experience as manufacturers, designers, planners, advisers, installers and safety certifiers of recreation areas.

For this purpose, Afamour with the collaboration of the Spanish Association of Public Parks and Gardens (AEPJP), elaborated a document in form of a Guide with 12 Best Practices.

 

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What is the aim of these guidelines?

These 12 recommendations are considered BEST PRACTICES for the creation process of a children playground or training area. The guide is a summary addressed to those responsible for the projects and the creation of new areas and also the politicians involved in the decision making.

The objective of the document is to support those responsible to take into account adequate decisive factors so that the acquired and installed playground or training zone at the end of the process:

  • Meets the need and maximises user satisfaction.
  • Prioritises the children’s interest and right to play:

safety  –  physical activity  –  development  –  fun

  • Represents an effective, safe and sustainable investment:

for the durability, origin and use of resources over time.

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What have these 12 Best Practices to do with the SDGs?

The SDGs are the Sustainable Development Goals set by the UN, and included in the Agenda 2030 and designed to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all: end poverty in all its forms, reduce inequality, ensure healthy lives, take climate action, ensure quality education, provide access to justice and promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development.

Among the specific targets that the states should reach, emphasis is put on accomplishing that the cities and communities are inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.

The 12 Best Practices for the creation of children playgrounds and training areas are aligned with the SDGs, promoting green, accessible and inclusive quality spaces which facilitate playing and physical activity outdoors, enhancing health and well-being for the people.

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Which aspects does the guideline contain?

The recommendation guide for the creation of a successful area is structured into 12 chapters that contemplate qualitative, environmental, social, normative, safety and economic aspects in order to obtain recreation zones which meet the demands in accordance with the requirements.

At the end of each chapter are to be found the most frequent errors which are made and should be prevented in order to achieve the aim: a successful playground or a successful sports recreation zone for all users.

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Here you can DOWNLOAD the free Guide of Best Practices.

#HablandoEnVerde  (“TalkingGreen”)

Afamour in cooperation with AEJPJ and various sector specialists presented the 12 Best Practices on 11 February in the form of a webinar.

If you couldn’t participate in the discourse, you still have the possibility to attend it here: