A practical checklist for councils planning inclusive playground projects
The Government’s £18 million Playground Fund provides 66 local authorities across England with funding to create or improve three playgrounds in some of the country’s most deprived areas.
With £270,000 available to each successful local authority, councils have an important opportunity to improve local play provision and create spaces that work for more children and families.
But creating a successful playground involves more than selecting equipment.
From understanding your community and choosing suitable sites to considering accessibility, inclusion, procurement and long-term maintenance, there are many factors to consider before a project reaches the playground.
We’ve created this Inclusive Playground Fund Checklist to help councils consider some of the key questions throughout the process.
This checklist is intended as a practical resource and does not replace the Government’s official Playground Fund guidance or any relevant professional, legal, safety or procurement advice.
The Inclusive Playground Fund: quick project checklist
Before progressing your project, can you answer yes to the following?
- We understand the needs of our local community.
- We have meaningfully engaged children and families.
- Disabled children and families have been considered in our engagement.
- We have assessed existing play provision.
- Inclusion is being considered from the beginning of the project.
- We have considered the whole playground, not just individual products.
- We are providing a variety of play experiences.
- We have considered different ages and abilities.
- We are prioritising meaningful play value.
- We have considered quality, durability and maintenance.
- We understand our procurement requirements.
- We have identified appropriate project partners.
- We have considered how the playground will perform over the long term.
Download the full checklist so you can ensure your use of funding is inclusive and impactful.
Looking for inclusive play equipment?
Once you have established what your community needs, the next step is choosing equipment that can help turn those requirements into meaningful play experiences.
Inclusive Play manufactures and supplies freestanding inclusive play equipment for councils, schools, playground companies and other organisations across the UK and internationally.
Our range includes equipment for:
Spinning and movement
Encouraging physical activity, balance, coordination and social interaction.
Rocking and dynamic play
Providing movement-based experiences for a range of users.
Sensory and musical play
Introducing sound, movement and sensory experiences into outdoor play.
Bouncing and active play
Creating opportunities for physical activity and different ways to participate.
Social and cooperative play
Encouraging children to interact and play alongside one another.
As an API member with 20 years of inclusive play expertise, we can work alongside councils, playground designers, contractors and installers to identify equipment that fits the needs of individual projects.
Planning your Playground Fund projects?
If your council has received funding through the Government’s £18 million Playground Fund, we’d be happy to discuss your plans.
Whether you are still considering your options, developing a specification or already working with a playground designer or installer, talk to our team about how inclusive play equipment could contribute to your project.
Make inclusion part of the plan.
Further reading
Your Playground Fund. Our Inclusive Expertise.
Read our guide to how Inclusive Play can support councils delivering projects through the Government’s £18 million Playground Fund.
API, IPEMA & Made in Britain: Procurement Confidence for Playground Fund Projects
Read why industry membership, British manufacturing and specialist expertise matter when councils choose playground suppliers