Design for Play

Design for Play: a guide to designing successful play spaces was commissioned jointly by Play England and the Department for Children, Families and Schools (DCSF). It was published in summer 2008 and formed the main guidance for the government's Playbuilder and Play Pathfinder programme - the largest capital investment ever in children's play in the UK.

Aileen Shackell was the principal author of this document, which has had a major impact on the design of outdoor play spaces in this country. In recognition of its significance Design for Play was awarded a Highly Commended award in the Communications and Presentation Category of the Landscape Institute Awards 2009.

The publication has reached an international audience as evidenced by this recommendation from a Chicago ‘blog’

“The Design for Play document illustrates each design principle with further explanation and illustrative photos...many of natural playgrounds recently constructed in the UK, as excerpted here.  A must read!”

Copies of the document are available to order free from the Play England website.

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