Play Plan Sperrin DEA Overview

Alan Herron Director of Service Delivery and Development PlayBoard NI

Settlement Population & Households Total Residents Households Cranagh 62 23 Plumbridge 234 103 Artigarvan 721 287 Straidarran 401 152 Ballymagorry 602 239 Strabane 13,147 5,113 Donemana 586 237 Park 509 170 Douglas Bridge 124 48 Donagheady 123 38 Glenmornan 142 58 Ballyrory 68 25 Age Group Number % 0-15 5,230 21 16-39 7,230 30 40-64 8,100 33 65+ 3,910 16 TOTAL 24,460 100

• 21% aged 0 to 15 years (average across council = 21.7%)

• Decline from 22% in 2011 census Accessibility Benchmark Standards (Distance Measure)

• Developed by Fields in Trust – define types of Play Area and identify radial access criteria (based on walking distance)

TYPE OF PLAY DISTANCE CRITERIA (METRES) WALKING DISTANCE Local Areas for Play (LAPs) 100 Play areas specifically designated and laid out for very young children (<5 years) with the express purpose of providing somewhere to play close to where they live. Local Equipped Areas for Play (LEAPs) 400 Areas of open space designated and laid out with features and equipment for children who are beginning to go out and play independently (5 to 12 years) close to where they live. Neighbourhood Equipped Areas for Play (NEAP) 1000 Areas of open space specifically designated, laid out and equipped mainly for older children (including 12+) but with play opportunities for younger children as well. • Designation is narrow and limited in NI context i.e. in DCSDC are no LAP’s, majority fall into LEAP category with a number of NEAP level play areas. Proposed Revision to Accessibility Benchmark Standards

DCSDC Description Radial Designation Distance (m) Local Play Area Designed to cater for local residents within easy walking distance. Typically located in 400 rural areas, areas of lower population density, villages and smaller urban estates.

Neighbourhood Offer greater variety of play, attracting users from larger area. Features can include: 750 Play Area • Free play space/MUGA/kickabout area • High quality play provision including inclusive play equipment • Dependent on wider site, may include access to Community Hub (centre) with toilets and possibly Changing Places Toilet facility • Car-parking District Play Area The largest in terms of size and scale, offer a wide variety of fixed and non-fixed play 1,000 opportunities. Often set within larger parklands, features can include: • Support services (café, toilet etc. to facilitate longer term site use) • Changing Places Toilet • High quality play provision including inclusive play equipment • Greenway connections/pathways • Car parking • Pitches/grassed areas to facilitate ball games and free play

Play Value Assessment

Range of factors assessed Play Area Designation Play Value including: Sperrin Heritage Centre Local 270 Allen Park Local 330 Plumbridge Local 345 • Locational factors (Dergborough Rd) • Accessibility factors Douglas Bridge Local 350 • Environmental factors Newtownstewart Local 360 • Physical play opportunities Artigarvan Local 395 • Creative play opportunities Plumbridge Riverside Local 410 • Inclusive play opportunities Glenmornan Local 415 • Social play opportunities Camus Local 435 Donemana (Metal) Local 440 The maximum score possible using Learmount Local 470 Faughanview Local 510 the play audit tool is 800 Donemana (Wood) Local 550 Cumber House District 610

Potential Gap 1

Location Map Area Overview

• Located at Donagheady which is situated in the North West of the DEA.

• Small settlement of around 38 households and approximately 123 individuals.

• In terms of 0 to 15 year olds, Donagheady sits within 2 statistical areas with 92 and 94 children and young people aged 0 to 15 year olds respectively. It should be noted that the statistical areas both cover fairly large rural areas in addition to the settlement.

• Has been recent private development within the area. Should such development continue, play need should be reassessed with a view to securing private developer contribution should fixed play be required.

• New fixed play provision not currently required Potential Gap 2

Location Map Area Overview

• Potential gap area 2 is located at Straidarran which is situated in the North East of the DEA.

• Straidarran is a settlement of around 152 households and approximately 401 individuals.

• In terms of 0 to 15 year olds, Straidarran sits within 2 statistical areas with 180 and 94 children and young people aged 0 to 15 year olds respectively. It should be noted that the statistical areas both cover fairly large rural areas in addition to the settlement.

• Does appear to be a need in the area which should be tested through consultation should a suitable site be available.

• Has been recent private development within the area. Should development continue, Council should engage with developer re: contribution should fixed play be required. Potential Gap 3

Location Map Area Overview

• Potential gap area 3 is located at Ballyrory which is situated in the North East of the DEA.

• Ballyrory is small settlement of around 25 households and approximately 68 individuals.

• In terms of 0 to 15 year olds, Ballyrory sits within a statistical area with 85 children and young people aged 0 to 15 year olds respectively. It should be noted that the statistical area covers a fairly large rural area in addition to the settlement.

• At present, given underlying household and demographic figures it is not felt that fixed play provision is required at the location.

• Continue to review need over time. Potential Gap 4

Location Map Area Overview

• Potential gap area 4 is located at Cranagh which is situated in the North East of the DEA.

• Cranagh is small settlement of around 23 households and approximately 62 individuals.

• In terms of 0 to 15 year olds, Straidarran sits within a statistical area with 84 children and young people aged 0 to 15 year olds respectively. It should be noted that the statistical area covers a fairly large rural area in addition to the settlement.

• Recommendation that play area at nearby Sperrin Heritage Centre should be closed.

• Given underlying household and demographic figures it is not felt that fixed play provision is required at the location. Potential Gap 5

Location Map Area Overview

• Potential gap area 5 is located at Ballymagorry which is situated in the North West of the DEA.

• Ballymagorry is a village of around 239 households and approximately 602 individuals.

• In terms of 0 to 15 year olds, Ballymagorry village sits primarily within a statistical area with 58 children and young people aged 0 to 15 year olds respectively. An adjoining statistical are shows 91 aged 0 to 15, albeit spread over a fairly large rural area.

• Based on underlying household density and population statistics the area appears to have a gap in play provision.

• Proceed to full consultation aimed at play area development. Sperrin Heritage Centre

Play Recommendation Time Value Frame 270 • Very poor condition and no longer meets play need.

• Proceed to removal of current play area. Allen Park

Play Recommendation Time Frame Value 330 • Offers low level of play value and is in poor condition

• Proposed enhancement of Donemana to Neighbourhood designation would negate need for site in terms of radial coverage and play value

• Potential transformation option for Allen Park site once Donemana has been completed (community open space with playable features). Plumbridge

Play Recommendation Time Frame Value 345 Dergborough Road • A small play area located on an open green space beside a playgroup with a MUGA and outdoor gym also on site.

• Despite low play value the play park is in generally good condition.

• Site offers potential for enhanced play features – expansion should be considered in line with review of Plumbridge Riverside site.

410 Riverside • Maintain and monitor pending future development. Douglas Bridge

Play Recommendation Time Frame Value 350 • The current play offers a low level of play value due to the age and condition of the equipment and general site.

• Play park does require an upgrade, dependent on evidence of continued need within the area.

• It is recommended that a community consultation be undertaken to ascertain need prior to a decision regarding upgrade. Newtownstewart

Play Recommendation Time Frame Value 360 • Located on the outskirts of Newtownstewart at Vaughans Holm Sports complex, the play park offers a limited range of play equipment and is of low play value

• Masterplan for the area is in development and consideration of play delivery/potential site enhancement should be embedded within this process.

• Note: New play area in development at Mourne Park, Newtownstewart Artigarvan

Play Recommendation Time Frame Value 395 • Upgrades have been scheduled for late 2020. Glenmornan

Play Recommendation Time Frame Value 415 • The play area is located near to outdoor gym equipment and a Multi-Use Games Arena.

• Generally fair condition although will require upgrade within phase 2 of play plan. Camus

Play Recommendation Time Frame Value 435 • Located to the rear of housing at Camus Park, fixed play area located on green space with football pitch.

• Equipment is limited in terms of its age range and is showing age related wear and tear.

• During the audit wood rot noted on a number of pieces whilst the general condition ranged from poor to average.

• The play value of the overall site is enhanced by the adjacent football pitch. Donemana

Play Recommendation Time Frame Value 440 • The site offers significant (Metal) potential, however given the condition of the metal play 550 equipment the play value is (Wood) low for a site of this potential.

• It is recommended that the metal equipment be replaced with natural timber-based play products which would not only enhance the play value but would also match the wider natural environment.

• Given wider site, consideration should be given to enhancement of Play Area to Neighbourhood level as minimum. Learmount

Play Recommendation Time Frame Value 470 • Learmount play park is located in a rural area contains a selection of fixed play equipment constructed using natural materials that complement the surrounding environment.

• Overall, the site offers a fair level of play value and is suited to its natural environment.

• Replace/upgrade equipment which is showing signs of wear and tear Faughanview

Play Recommendation Time Frame Value 510 • Located at Faughanview just outside Claudy, the play park offers a good level of play value falling into the upper mid category.

• Equipment is generally in good condition; however it was noted that some pieces are in need of repair which should be undertaken.

• Monitor and maintain within renewal cycle. Cumber House

Play Recommendation Time Frame Value 610 • Located within a rural area, this large District play area offers a high level of play value.

• Site offers good selection of equipment; inclusive play is restricted. Recommend additional inclusive play equipment be introduced.

• Some equipment is showing signs of degradation and should be upgraded (4 pieces removed in summer 2020).

• Monitor and maintain within renewal cycle. Consultation Overview

• Online Surveys:

Parents/Carers – 495 Children and Young People – 112 Community groups – 71

• 8 x DEA Community Sessions delivered to highlight play plan and identify key issues

• Focus groups with Children and Young People were scheduled for April to June but unable to proceed due to COVID

• Aim to work with schools to progress focus group approach at appropriate time Consultation Overview

• Key findings Almost universal recognition of the importance of play and need to provide play opportunities

70% of C&YP play outdoors at least a few days per week, 28% hardly ever/never play outdoors

84% of parents/carers take their children to fixed play areas, most common frequency being a few days per month

Play value is seen as being critical factor in visiting a play area (i.e. availability of high quality, varied play opportunities etc.) rather than convenience

Is a small but vocal lobby for skate/cycle provision to be developed particularly amongst children and young people 10% of C&YP identified as having a disability with need for more inclusive play noted as key for this group

Improved provision of play and recreation for older children and teens (hang-out spaces, youth centres/zones etc.)

Dog mess at play spaces/green spaces identified as a concern by just over half of respondents

Over 50% wanted to see more open, green spaces identified for play within communities with 42% keen to see support for more street/community play (e.g. through play workers, play volunteers etc.) Contact Details Alan Herron

Tel: 028 9080 3380 Email: [email protected]