Council is planning to pilot a Play Streets program in a small number of local streets and laneways throughout the Local Government Area (LGA). The pilot will inform a longer term position on the viability of a community led street play program for the LGA. The long term aim of the program is for communities to be empowered to run self-managed play streets events in their neighbourhood with support and advice from Council.
Background
The Play Streets Pilot Project is an action in the recently endorsed Recreation Needs Study - A Healthier Inner West. Read the study and how it was developed here
How Play Streets work
Play Streets involves the temporary closure of a quiet local street to enable children (and adults) to use the street as an urban playground. The closure typically happens on a weekend, and on other occasions agreed by local residents (weekly/monthly etc). Suitable locations are on streets where the temporary closure has limited impact on local traffic, support of the residents, and on streets with limited access to nearby open space.
Each Play Street is unique based on its local residents and what they enjoy doing. Residents may play handball or ride their bikes on the streets, while others might create an artwork on the pavement with chalk. Others may simply use the opportunity to meet and socialise with neighbours.
In the lead up to each pilot Play Street, a volunteer(s) from the street will liaise with Council to ensure approval for the street closure is obtained, and that barriers closing the street are placed in accordance with the approved Traffic Management Plan during the event. This volunteer(s) will also liaise with other local residents in the lead up, and request cars to be parked in other areas (where practical) during the event in order to maximise space.
It is envisaged that Council will provide a toolkit (which may include things like: information and ideas on Play Streets, chalk, skipping ropes etc) and a contact person to provide ongoing support for the pilot period.
Pilot Project Process
1. Nominations
Council is taking nominations from the community for suitable locations to pilot Play Streets. Nominate your street using the form below. If you have already nominated via email you don't need to do anything else. Nominations close 24 February 2019.
2. Shortlisting
After nominations have been received, Council officers will shortlist up to 5 streets for further engagement with local residents. The following criteria will be used during the short-listing process:
- Prioritisation of streets in areas with reduced access to open space (purple areas in this proximity map from the Recreation Needs Study)
- The willingness of one or more volunteers to locally organise and liaise with Council
- The minimisation of traffic impacts to local residents and surrounding streets
- Street surface and surrounds are suitable and safe
- Reasonable distribution of pilot locations throughout the LGA
Note: these criteria are for the assessment of suitable pilot locations only. Updated criteria will be developed if Council decided to extend the project after the pilot has been evaluated.
3. Council decision on pilot locations
Recommendations for pilot project locations will be reported to Council for its consideration.
4. Six month pilot
Council officers will work with residents of the selected streets to facilitiate the approval process and provide advice and support throughout the pilot.
5. Evaluation and next steps.
At the end of the pilot period residents will be asked to provide input into an evaluation. Using this information, a report will be prepared for Council on the success of the pilot projects and outcomes from the evaluation to inform the potential extension of Play Streets across the LGA.
Nominate your street now
Please use the form below to nominate your street/laneway. If you have already nominated by email you do not need to fill this form in or do anything further at this stage. Nominations close 24 February 2019.
What happens next
Council officers will complete the assessment and let you know the outcome of your nomination.
Enquiries
Please contact Alistair Foggo, Recreation Development Officer on 9392 5241 alistair.foggo@innerwest.nsw.gov.au
Council is planning to pilot a Play Streets program in a small number of local streets and laneways throughout the Local Government Area (LGA). The pilot will inform a longer term position on the viability of a community led street play program for the LGA. The long term aim of the program is for communities to be empowered to run self-managed play streets events in their neighbourhood with support and advice from Council.
Background
The Play Streets Pilot Project is an action in the recently endorsed Recreation Needs Study - A Healthier Inner West. Read the study and how it was developed here
How Play Streets work
Play Streets involves the temporary closure of a quiet local street to enable children (and adults) to use the street as an urban playground. The closure typically happens on a weekend, and on other occasions agreed by local residents (weekly/monthly etc). Suitable locations are on streets where the temporary closure has limited impact on local traffic, support of the residents, and on streets with limited access to nearby open space.
Each Play Street is unique based on its local residents and what they enjoy doing. Residents may play handball or ride their bikes on the streets, while others might create an artwork on the pavement with chalk. Others may simply use the opportunity to meet and socialise with neighbours.
In the lead up to each pilot Play Street, a volunteer(s) from the street will liaise with Council to ensure approval for the street closure is obtained, and that barriers closing the street are placed in accordance with the approved Traffic Management Plan during the event. This volunteer(s) will also liaise with other local residents in the lead up, and request cars to be parked in other areas (where practical) during the event in order to maximise space.
It is envisaged that Council will provide a toolkit (which may include things like: information and ideas on Play Streets, chalk, skipping ropes etc) and a contact person to provide ongoing support for the pilot period.
Pilot Project Process
1. Nominations
Council is taking nominations from the community for suitable locations to pilot Play Streets. Nominate your street using the form below. If you have already nominated via email you don't need to do anything else. Nominations close 24 February 2019.
2. Shortlisting
After nominations have been received, Council officers will shortlist up to 5 streets for further engagement with local residents. The following criteria will be used during the short-listing process:
- Prioritisation of streets in areas with reduced access to open space (purple areas in this proximity map from the Recreation Needs Study)
- The willingness of one or more volunteers to locally organise and liaise with Council
- The minimisation of traffic impacts to local residents and surrounding streets
- Street surface and surrounds are suitable and safe
- Reasonable distribution of pilot locations throughout the LGA
Note: these criteria are for the assessment of suitable pilot locations only. Updated criteria will be developed if Council decided to extend the project after the pilot has been evaluated.
3. Council decision on pilot locations
Recommendations for pilot project locations will be reported to Council for its consideration.
4. Six month pilot
Council officers will work with residents of the selected streets to facilitiate the approval process and provide advice and support throughout the pilot.
5. Evaluation and next steps.
At the end of the pilot period residents will be asked to provide input into an evaluation. Using this information, a report will be prepared for Council on the success of the pilot projects and outcomes from the evaluation to inform the potential extension of Play Streets across the LGA.
Nominate your street now
Please use the form below to nominate your street/laneway. If you have already nominated by email you do not need to fill this form in or do anything further at this stage. Nominations close 24 February 2019.
What happens next
Council officers will complete the assessment and let you know the outcome of your nomination.
Enquiries
Please contact Alistair Foggo, Recreation Development Officer on 9392 5241 alistair.foggo@innerwest.nsw.gov.au
