Playbuilders and play pathfinders

Play England helped local authority playbuilders and play pathfinders to deliver the Labour government's £235m investment in play.

The goal was to transform local areas into innovative and adventurous play spaces.

Local authorities were funded to provide 30 brand new exciting adventure playgrounds, and up to 3,500 new or refurbished play areas for children to enjoy across the country.

Funding enabled local authorities to work more closely with children, families and communities using the sites. Local authorities were also expected to demonstrate how their new play spaces were sustainable when it comes to the ongoing maintenance.

This programme was a major part of the Labour government's national Play Strategy, launched in April 2008.

Play England support and challenge

The then Department for Children, Schools and Families appointed Play England to support and challenge local authorities receiving funding under the government's play pathfinder and playbuilder programmes.

An integral part of this work was to develop play in practice across England. That meant developing a quality advice, information and support service for adventure playgrounds and play providers.

Local authorities were expected to consider the Play England guidance Design for Play and Managing Risk in Play Provision when undertaking their capital investment.

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