Wild & Nature Play

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Many organisations have traditionally provided formal managed play areas as part of a visit to a property or attraction.

The recent trend away from manufactured items such as climbing frames and swings has led to the use of various terms to describe the provision of alternative types of play opportunities.

It is important that we fully understand what is meant by these terms and the implications for management of risk and the need for safety inspections.

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Formal play uses manufactured items, bought from a supplier. These have been purpose-designed and built as play pieces. The design will have dealt with many of the inherent risks and they are often supplied with a certificate of conformity.

Nature play is the provision of a play opportunity within a structured play area using something from the natural environment rather than a purpose built piece of equipment. For example the use of a tree trunk as a climbing frame or balance beam. The piece is usually modified to provide safer access. Branches may be trimmed to avoid traps or limit heights.

There are also examples where formal play and nature play are found together on the same site, such as the National Trust’s Crow Wood play area at Lyme Park.

Wild play is opportunistic play with the visitor using something they would expect to encounter in the environment.

There is no planned intention for play to be part of the management of such a feature.

There may, however, be wider active encouragement for this type of play through national or local campaigns.

An example is the National Trust’s 50 Things to do before you’re 11 3/4 campaign that aims to promote nature and outdoor play as a fun part of a healthy, happy and enjoyable family life. First on the list of things to do is to climb a tree.

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It is useful to document the benefits and risks that are associated with each type of play activity. The examples that follow show how this can be done. You will see the familiar risk assessment table containing a statement of key risks and their level; the people who are at risk; and risk controls in place.

However, in addition, there is a benefit of risk statement. This, importantly, documents the consideration of alternative risk control options and sets the decision made in the context of the benefits that are derived from maintaining the identified risk.

Note that the play statement also contains information about the competences, knowledge and experience of the people making the judgement.

Tree House and Climbing Forest Play Statement

Tyre Tunnel Play Statement

 

 

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• The Forestry Commission provides a practical guide on nature play that offers fun, simple and cost effective examples of play ideas from easily sourced materials.

• A good example of how the Forestry Commission has put these ideas into practice is at the Westonbirt Old Arboretum Play Trail, which is featured as a case study on this website.

• Play England also publish advice on how to introduce nature play. Nature Play Maintenance Guide Play England

• London Play has published a guide to the safe siting, installation and use of children’s rope swings in trees. Tree Swings

• The Play Safety Forum has considered the benefits to children from allowing risk to be experienced in their play. Managing Risk in Play Provision Play Safety Forum

• The Health and safety Executive have produced guidance on striking the right balance between protecting children from the most serious risks and allowing them to reap the benefits of play. HSE High Level Statement on Childrens Play

• The National Trust pose a series of questions when considering outdoor play provision. If a Play Area is the Answer, What is the question?

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