New Build Estates with Playgrounds - Are they for Residents Only?

ReadingTim

GixerKate said:

Tbh, we haven't got a problem with younger kids using it, its the older kids being anti-social.  What we can do is police it ourselves and enforce the 'under 12 year olds' rule instead.  As its a small community here we can usually call the kids by their names and we know how old they are.

Really is disappointing though.  You'd think that as the play area is built on the private land, never to be adopted by the council and maintained solely through the residents, you'd think we would have some rights but no.

I guess your teenaged years were spend in bible classes and needlecraft then OP, and you've forgotten what it's like to be a young person in a small community?!?  Still, I guess it's inevitable we all turn into our parents...

housebuyer143

I don't think so, how would you enforce it? I go to playgrounds on new build estates all the time. Children should be encouraged to go outside and play, not told they can't use that as it's maintained privately.

Teenagers will always play in parks, don't you remember doing the same as a teenager? 
This is why you shouldn't buy next to a park, because it's almost a guarantee you will have kids there in the evenings.

lika_86

GixerKate said:

Tbh, we haven't got a problem with younger kids using it, its the older kids being anti-social.  What we can do is police it ourselves and enforce the 'under 12 year olds' rule instead.  As its a small community here we can usually call the kids by their names and we know how old they are.

How are you going to police it and enforce it yourselves? Go out in your nightie and yell at the teenagers on there drinking a bottle of white lightening? Physically remove them?

Most will be harmlessly mooching around, but what if any of them were to be carrying a weapon? 

Gavin83

GixerKate said:

We have had the delight of some local teenagers who do not live on the estate hanging around in the playground in a very anti-social manner who claim that its a public playground 'cos all playgrounds are public, my nan says so'.

What anti-social behaviour are they participating in?

diystarter7

GixerKate said:

Thanks for taking the time to respond, a quick update for everyone.  Whilst there isn't anything specific in the plans for the intention of the play area, the management company have said that while yes we are paying for everything and will continue to do so, we can't stop the general public from using the play area.

Tbh, we haven't got a problem with younger kids using it, its the older kids being anti-social.  What we can do is police it ourselves and enforce the 'under 12 year olds' rule instead.  As its a small community here we can usually call the kids by their names and we know how old they are.

Really is disappointing though.  You'd think that as the play area is built on the private land, never to be adopted by the council and maintained solely through the residents, you'd think we would have some rights but no.

Hi OP
Thanks for the update
TBH, about you and friends "policing" the area. I'd seek advice about this from your local community police officers as there are potentially many dangers associated with stuff like this and not just from the louts but their guardians as often they too can take very serious offence no matter how polite you are

Therefore, seek advice from local officers and take it from there.

Good luck

GixerKate

ReadingTim said:

GixerKate said:

Tbh, we haven't got a problem with younger kids using it, its the older kids being anti-social.  What we can do is police it ourselves and enforce the 'under 12 year olds' rule instead.  As its a small community here we can usually call the kids by their names and we know how old they are.

Really is disappointing though.  You'd think that as the play area is built on the private land, never to be adopted by the council and maintained solely through the residents, you'd think we would have some rights but no.

I guess your teenaged years were spend in bible classes and needlecraft then OP, and you've forgotten what it's like to be a young person in a small community?!?  Still, I guess it's inevitable we all turn into our parents...

LOL I'm afraid I wasn't one of the teenagers hanging around on street corners with cider no.  Call me weird but as a teenager I used to spend time with friends and family.

GixerKate

Gavin83 said:

GixerKate said:

We have had the delight of some local teenagers who do not live on the estate hanging around in the playground in a very anti-social manner who claim that its a public playground 'cos all playgrounds are public, my nan says so'.

What anti-social behaviour are they participating in?

Trying to break the play equipment designed for toddlers, very loud music with loads of swearing, shouting abuse at passing adults and frightening young children away from the play area.

GixerKate

diystarter7 said:

GixerKate said:

Thanks for taking the time to respond, a quick update for everyone.  Whilst there isn't anything specific in the plans for the intention of the play area, the management company have said that while yes we are paying for everything and will continue to do so, we can't stop the general public from using the play area.

Tbh, we haven't got a problem with younger kids using it, its the older kids being anti-social.  What we can do is police it ourselves and enforce the 'under 12 year olds' rule instead.  As its a small community here we can usually call the kids by their names and we know how old they are.

Really is disappointing though.  You'd think that as the play area is built on the private land, never to be adopted by the council and maintained solely through the residents, you'd think we would have some rights but no.

Hi OP
Thanks for the update
TBH, about you and friends "policing" the area. I'd seek advice about this from your local community police officers as there are potentially many dangers associated with stuff like this and not just from the louts but their guardians as often they too can take very serious offence no matter how polite you are

Therefore, seek advice from local officers and take it from there.

Good luck

Thanks for your post, already ahead of you :-)  The local police have already been on site and they are keen for us to keep doing what we are doing and to keep them updated so that they can continue building the case(s) against the various kids.  The police have offered to start doing sweeps of the estate which they have started doing and generally have been very supportive.

bobster2

GixerKate said:

Tbh, we haven't got a problem with younger kids using it, its the older kids being anti-social.  What we can do is police it ourselves and enforce the 'under 12 year olds' rule instead.  As its a small community here we can usually call the kids by their names and we know how old they are.

Before attempting to "police" this - it would be a good idea to get a clear understanding of the basis on which it can be enforced - i.e. where does this "under 12 only" rule come from?

GixerKate

bobster2 said:

GixerKate said:

Tbh, we haven't got a problem with younger kids using it, its the older kids being anti-social.  What we can do is police it ourselves and enforce the 'under 12 year olds' rule instead.  As its a small community here we can usually call the kids by their names and we know how old they are.

Before attempting to "police" this - it would be a good idea to get a clear understanding of the basis on which it can be enforced - i.e. where does this "under 12 only" rule come from?

In the planning documentation and confirmed by the management company.