30 June 2020 I London Play

London Play is calling on local authorities to restart play streets from July 4th.

Play streets involve residents on a street agreeing to temporarily but regularly close their road to through traffic, so that children can play outside while adult neighbours get to know one another in the safe and clean space. 

Hundreds of play streets across the country have been suspended during the coronavirus lockdown. But as the government gives the green light for playgrounds to reopen, London Play believe that now is the appropriate time to open up additional public space for children and communities in the form of play streets. 

Play streets will provide thousands of children who have suffered months of isolation with more space and opportunity to play outside. Adult neighbours, including those who are vulnerable, will also have the chance to connect with one another in the street space, or from the safety of their front gardens and doorsteps. 

London Play is today writing an open letter to local authorities to outline the case for play streets and give leaders the additional confidence to reactivate them. We are also asking London residents to let us know what they think. We'd be very grateful if anyone who lives on a play street or is thinking about applying could complete our short survey here. 

Read our open letter here

Download our Risk Benefit Guidance for Post Lockdown Play Streets here.

Can you help? Spend a few minutes answering our survey

We are also asking residents on play streets or anyone who thinks they might be interested in starting a play street to do our brief survey. This will help us understand how people feel about (re)starting play streets and how we can best support. Plus if you do it before 5pm Monday 6 July you will go into a prize draw for a gift token to spend at the retailer of your choice. Thanks in advance! Link is here.