The ultimate guide to spaces for playing in Gwynedd This guide has been prepared by the about their area and by a Gwynedd Ni team within Gwynedd subsequent booklet by Council after being inspired by Anglesey Play Development Unit. the booklet prepared originally by The Gwynedd Ni team can be Conwy’s Play Development Team contacted on 01286 675 570. 4 ................. So what’s this all about? 5 ................. Benefits of playing outdoors The Gwynedd Ni team does its best to support your right as children to play. Thanks for the support and pictures by Visit Wales. 6 ................. Top tips for getting outdoors 7 ................. Inclusive play spaces 8 ................. Map 9 – 11 ........ Destinations 12 .............. Top tips for playing safely by water 13 – 19 ..... Beaches 20 – 29 .... Playgrounds 30 .............. Top tips for playing in the countryside 31 – 35 ..... Woods and walks What do the pictures mean? The space is good for: Trim Tree Fixed play Wheelchair Toilet trail climbing equipment users facilities Parking Ball games Water Free Café Wildlife Dens Sand Cycling Picnic table We have been helped by: 2 design: viewcreative.co.uk3 We found that lots of people believe children We think it is important for children to have time to play outside should be playing outside more and inside with their families and equally important to spend time with less but adults often find it difficult to friends exploring their local community. We think the best type of play is when children are given the time, space let children go out to play. and permission to choose what they want to do. We call this play that is freely chosen. This guide aims to give you some new ideas about where you can go and what you can do when playing outside. Engaging in freely chosen play It includes some of the best beaches, can have some of the following parks, playgrounds, woods and nature amazing benefits; reserves in Gwynedd. All the entries are labelled with facilities that the space offers. Although we’ve included loads of activities, there are still plenty more Extending skills we haven’t included and it’s up to you to come up Developing physical and emotional capacities with them! Challenging ourselves in new ways and gaining direct experience of the consequences We hope that with the help of this guide you will put of our actions your wellies on and run, jump, splash, climb, paddle, Building resilience crawl, hide and seek your way through some of the Attachments to people and places best play spaces Gwynedd can offer. Increased well being and mental health IT’S REALLY FUN !!! 4 5 Getting Outdoors Within this guide we have included information on physical access to the play Put on your warmest coat or best spaces and what you will find there. We recognise however, that these are not the only barriers to access for children and that access is only about children sunhat and take some snacks and physically getting somewhere – the term ‘inclusion’ is about children feeling a drink, adventuring is hungry work! that they want to be in the space once they are there. Take a watch/phone/alarm: if you set it for however long you have to The outdoor environment offers a Some children prefer to be in quieter play you will know when it is time to go home. Make it clear where your range of play opportunities that do not spaces and here woodlands can provide dictate to children how they should the opportunity to create their own safe boundaries are and stick to them. If you decide to go somewhere different play or interact with them. Natural haven. Other children might prefer more tell whoever is looking after you first. Take stuff to play with like cardboard materials like leaves, pine cones, water, direction to their play in order to help boxes, rope, old tyres, wooden planks and material but make sure you sand, grass and mud can be played them settle into an environment. The bring it home again! Good things to do to get you started: with, touched, smelt and experienced playgrounds within this guide provide alongside natural features like trees, this direction through traditional play Here are some good things to get you started from the National Trust’s list of 50 things boulders, mounds and plants in many equipment but also allow exploration to do before you’re 11¾: ways and this versatility helps children around the boundary of the site as Climb a tree Make a daisy chain to experience these play spaces on their children become more comfortable in Roll down a really big hill Set up a snail race own terms. the space. Build a den Create some wild art Skim a stone Play pooh sticks When taking children to outdoor play We have tried to include information Fly a kite Jump over waves spaces, we encourage adults to support about the accessibility of each play Catch a fish with a net Make a home for a wild animal the play process by allowing children space including its facilities. However, Play conkers Build a raft to explore on their own terms. Some because these are public spaces they Go on a really long bike ride Hunt for bugs sites allow for greater exploration by can change so if you are concerned Make a trail with sticks Go bird watching giving good lines of sight so adults can about accessing a space we would Make a mud pie Make a grass trumpet supervise children from a distance – recommend researching some more Dam a stream Go on a walk barefoot beaches and parks are good for this. before you go. If you would like to find out more, then check outwww.nationaltrust.org.uk/50-things-to-do 6 7 15 Bangor Bethesda 8 Caernarfon 9 16 2 7 10 1 Blaenau Ffestiniog Ffestiniog Nefyn 12 Criccieth Porthmadog Pwllheli Y Bala 6 11 Aberdaron 5 17 4 Barmouth Dolgellau 13 Tywyn 14 3 DESTINATIONS BEACHES PLAYGROUNDS WOODS & WALKS 1 Glynllifon Country Park 3 Aberdyfi 8 Coed Helen, Caernarfon 15 Traeth Lafan area Nature 2 Padarn Country Park 4 Barmouth 9 Ger-y-llyn, Llanberis Reserves 5 Aberdaron 10 The Marine, Dinas Dinlle 16 Coed Doctor, Community 6 Pwllheli 11 Bron y De, Pwllheli Woodland, Llanberis (South Beach) 12 Y Parc, Porthmadog 17 Wern Mynach Nature 7 Dinas Dinlle 13 Dolgellau Leisure Park, Reserve, Barmouth Dolgellau 14 Tywyn Leisure Park 8 9 2. PADARN COUNTRY PARK ADDRESS: Quarry Hospital, Gilfach Ddu, Llanberis. LL55 4TY 1. GLYNLLIFON COUNTRY PARK COST: Access to the park is free / Car parks are Pay & Display FACILITIES: Plenty of parking space, cafe, the Quarry Hospital, Padarn Lake Railway, ADDRESS: Clynnog Road, Caernarfon. LL54 5DY the National Slate Museum, Ropes and Ladders (an adventure course for adults and children), Padarn Watersports Centre, “Snowdon Star” passenger vessel, COST: Adults £4; Children £2; Day family entry £10 Costs correct at time of publication. Vivian Diving Centre, Padarn Boats, Walking trails (8km route around the lake Opening hours for the grounds and woodland walks: Peak Season (1 April - 30 Sept): Daily 10:00 -17:00 and other smaller trails), Padarn Pottery, Fframia, Odyn Copr and Crefft Elidir. Low Season (1 October - 31 March): Thursday - Sunday 10:00 -17:00 FACILITIES: Ample free parking, picnic tables, LOCATION: The park, in total, is 800 acres but in order to reach its centre at Gilfach cafe, dens, wildlife, guided walking tours, Ddu, turn off the A4086 at Llanberis and into Padarn Country Park and follow the shop & gallery. Facilities for the disabled. brown and white signs. There’s plenty to do at Padarn Country Park! Come and have a great day out that LOCATION: On the main road (A499) between Caernarfon and Pwllheli. everyone will enjoy. Enjoy the most spectacular scenery in North Wales... across Padarn Lake from Dolbadarn Castle and out towards Snowdonia in all its glory. Come and enjoy a fun day out for the whole family at Glynllifon’s historic grounds and craft centre. The perfect place to explore a variety of outdoor activities. There’s a chance to learn about the area’s history and to wander the pathways For that reason it’s important to wear suitable footwear. around the lake. Give the Ropes and Ladders course a try! Pop into The Black Cat Cafe for a cup of tea/coffee or for a meal and have a We ask visitors to consider their safety at all times when near the lake itself. browse in the Adra shop and gallery. See the ‘Top Tips for Playing Safely by Water’ in this booklet for guidance. Annual membership is available. For more information about Parc Glynllifon, For more specific and up-to-date information about the Slate Museum and the visit the Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/parcglynllifon Padarn Lake Railway, please refer to their respective websites. 10 11 Playing Safely by Water Water is one of nature’s best play things and all children should be able to experience playing in, with and around water. However it is important to keep in mind the dangers of water and stay safe. Only play by or in water If you see someone else in with an adult trouble, tell a lifeguard. If you can’t see a lifeguard, Check weather and tide call 999 or 112 and ask for times before you go; even the Coastguard but don’t on a calm day the current attempt a rescue yourself can be strong Find out about your chosen If you get into trouble, beach before you go at stick your hand in the air goodbeachguide.co.uk and shout for help Remember rivers also Read any safety signs at have strong currents so the beach or river to make take care and only play in yourself aware of specific calm, shallow sections local hazards Rocks and boulders by rivers Never use inflatables in are fun for playing but take strong winds or rough seas care when they get slippery Find more at www.riverandseasense.com 12 www.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/beachmaps 13 3.