PUBLIC PARKS AND PLAY FIVE YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN 2019 - 2024 September 2018 Produced by Outdoor Recreation NI on behalf of Mid Ulster District Council CONTENTS ACRONYMS ............................................................................................................................................. 6 FOREWORD ............................................................................................................................................. 7 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................................................ 8 BACKGROUND ............................................................................................................................... 19 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 19 Aim ........................................................................................................................................ 20 Objectives.............................................................................................................................. 20 SCOPE ............................................................................................................................................ 21 Project Area .......................................................................................................................... 21 CONTEXT ....................................................................................................................................... 23 METHODOLOGY ............................................................................................................................ 38 CONSULTATION RESULTS .............................................................................................................. 40 Public Meetings ..................................................................................................................... 40 Public Survey ......................................................................................................................... 41 PLAY: DEFINITION, BEST PRACTICE, TRENDS AND BENEFITS ........................................................ 48 Play Defined .......................................................................................................................... 48 Best Practice - Play ................................................................................................................ 49 6.2.1. Determining Fixed Play Sites ......................................................................................... 49 6.2.2. Designing Fixed Play and Play Value ............................................................................. 49 6.2.3. Risk and Challenge ........................................................................................................ 51 Trends - Play .......................................................................................................................... 52 6.3.1. Older Children/ Teenagers ............................................................................................ 52 6.3.2. Inclusive Play ................................................................................................................. 52 Best Practice - Parks .............................................................................................................. 55 6.4.1. Green Flag Award .......................................................................................................... 55 6.4.2. Blue Flag Award ............................................................................................................ 55 Benefits - Parks and Play ....................................................................................................... 56 6.5.1. Community Cohesion and Social inclusion ................................................................... 56 6.5.2. The Economic Value of Public Space............................................................................. 57 6.5.3. Value for Biodiversity and Nature ................................................................................. 57 6.5.4. Health and Well Being ................................................................................................... 57 Current Provision .......................................................................................................................... 60 Parks and Play Areas ............................................................................................................. 60 Quality of Play Provision ....................................................................................................... 71 2 Future Park and Play Provision ..................................................................................................... 73 Activity Hubs ......................................................................................................................... 74 Parks Development ............................................................................................................... 78 Bespoke Woodland Parks ..................................................................................................... 78 Dungannon ............................................................................................................................ 84 Cookstown ............................................................................................................................ 89 Magherafelt .......................................................................................................................... 96 Carntogher .......................................................................................................................... 100 8.8. Moola…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 8.9 Toet…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. Clogher Valley ................................................................................................................. 112 Case Studies ................................................................................................................................ 116 Nature Play at Tollymore and Castlewellan ........................................................................ 116 Diversity Park at Flowerfields – Portstewart ...................................................................... 118 National Trust – Mount Stewart ......................................................................................... 120 National Trust – Bishops Play Trail ...................................................................................... 122 Funding ................................................................................................................................... 125 Big Lottery ....................................................................................................................... 125 Heritage Lottery Fund ..................................................................................................... 125 10.2.1. Our Heritage ................................................................................................................ 125 10.2.2. Heritage Grants ........................................................................................................... 126 10.2.3. Parks and Places .......................................................................................................... 126 Rural Development Programme (2014-2020) ................................................................. 126 10.3.1. Basic Services Scheme ................................................................................................. 126 10.3.2. Village Renewal Scheme Summary ............................................................................. 127 Revenue Resourcing ................................................................................................................ 128 Recommendations .................................................................................................................. 129 Strategic .......................................................................................................................... 129 Product Development: .................................................................................................... 131 APPENDIX ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. APPENDIX 2 ......................................................................................................................................... 142 APPENDIX 3 ......................................................................................................................................... 143 APPENDIX 4 ......................................................................................................................................... 214 APPENDIX ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 3 TABLE OF FIGURES Figure 1 Mid Ulster DEA Boundaries ..................................................................................................... 22 Figure 2 Current Play Provision in Mid Ulster ....................................................................................... 63 Figure 3 Play Park Classifications .......................................................................................................... 64 Figure 4 Population of Mid Ulster Under 15 Years ..............................................................................