We are inviting residents across Lichfield District to take part in a new initiative which enables children to play safely outside their homes.
Play Streets, which is being launched by our Active Lichfield Communities Team, recognises that children want to play close to home, but this is often made difficult due to traffic and cars on the road.
Play Streets allows neighbours to close their street to through traffic for a couple of hours, creating a safe space for children to enjoy activities such as tag, hopscotch and skipping.
Lead residents organise and run a Play Streets event themselves supported by at least four other volunteers acting as stewards to safely direct any vehicles that need to enter or exit during the activity period.
Councillor Andy Smith, Lichfield District Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Leisure and Major Projects, said:
“Play Streets gives children the freedom to play out safely in the streets and spaces where they live which is good for their health, development and happiness.
“I’m excited that we are introducing it here in Lichfield District. It supports our aim of residents being more active, more often and for longer and I would encourage people to apply to take part.”
The Active Lichfield Communities Team can support residents in setting up a Play Street by
- Providing templates and resources needed to run a Play Street including consultation letters to residents to explain the initiative.
- Supporting with an application for a Temporary Play Street Order to close your street.
- Providing informal training and support for volunteers to safely lead a Play Street
If a group of neighbouring residents would like to get involved by running a Play Street for their children, find out more about what is involved on the Active Lichfield website, and then complete the expression of interest form, or contact sportsdevelopment@lichfielddc.gov.uk