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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Can I use the playground of a council estate if we don't live there?

803 replies

Mummy1608 · 09/02/2022 14:04

Quick question...

I live right outside a really big council estate. (Eg I walk through it everyday as a shortcut to my local train station, that's how close I am and how big it is.) It's got a lovely playground in it with lots of cool climbing bits etc. Can I go there with my DD or do you think it's frowned on if I don't live there, because it's meant to be for residents? I can't find anywhere whether this isn't allowed, but it might be technically allowed but still frowned on? My next nearest playground is much smaller (although always empty) and a 15 min walk away.

Tldr can I take my dd to the council estate playground?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
21
RedCandyApple · 09/02/2022 14:05

Of course you can Confused

OwlinaTree · 09/02/2022 14:06

Yes it's fine.

YerAWizardHarry · 09/02/2022 14:07

It’s literally public property! How would anyone even know you don’t live in the area regardless?

Sprogonthetyne · 09/02/2022 14:08

Any child can play in any playground. We have several that we rotate between for a bit of variety.

Original poster
Mummy1608 · 09/02/2022 14:09

Ah ok sorry if I was being silly! Just cos all the mums/dads there seem to know each other (naturally if they're neighbours) and I guess I was shy - worried that they'd point out I don't live there. Thanks for the reassurance 😅

OP posts:
Original poster
Mummy1608 · 09/02/2022 14:10

(Didn't mean to enable voting!)

OP posts:
Bear2014 · 09/02/2022 14:11

We have an estate playground and wouldn't bat an eyelid if anyone used it. We also use others that we don't live on.

HadaVerde · 09/02/2022 14:11

Visiting friends who live there? Yes fine.

Using it cos it’s closer than another for public use playground? No of course it’s not ok.

I’m amazed people think this is ok.

BigFatLiar · 09/02/2022 14:12

@Mummy1608

Ah ok sorry if I was being silly! Just cos all the mums/dads there seem to know each other (naturally if they're neighbours) and I guess I was shy - worried that they'd point out I don't live there. Thanks for the reassurance 😅
Start using it and you may get to know them as well. It's a council estate, they don't have two heads and eat children (well not all of them)
BobbinHood · 09/02/2022 14:13

@HadaVerde

Visiting friends who live there? Yes fine.

Using it cos it’s closer than another for public use playground? No of course it’s not ok.

I’m amazed people think this is ok.

I’m amazed you think it’s not, can you explain why?
Youngatheart00 · 09/02/2022 14:13

@HadaVerde it is for public use though? Council housing is public housing and facilities outside of someone’s front door are sensibly for anyones use

It’s like asking if you can use a LA swimming pool that isn’t your local - it’s council funded - of course you can

roolz · 09/02/2022 14:13

@HadaVerde

Visiting friends who live there? Yes fine.

Using it cos it’s closer than another for public use playground? No of course it’s not ok.

I’m amazed people think this is ok.

I don't see why residents would care...

itbemay1 · 09/02/2022 14:13

@HadaVerde

Visiting friends who live there? Yes fine.

Using it cos it’s closer than another for public use playground? No of course it’s not ok.

I’m amazed people think this is ok.

Eh?
PrawnofthePatriarchy · 09/02/2022 14:13

Of course it's OK. And over time your DC will make friends with the other users.

BobbinHood · 09/02/2022 14:13

Any public playground is fair game. We all pay council tax. Anything that’s actually private will be fenced off and described as such.

Pumpfive · 09/02/2022 14:14

@HadaVerde

Visiting friends who live there? Yes fine.

Using it cos it’s closer than another for public use playground? No of course it’s not ok.

I’m amazed people think this is ok.

Are you serious?! Parks are for everyone. She's not asking to play on private property! It just so happens that her nearest park is situation in the council estate, it doesn't mean that the park is only for people living there
DinasCopUniform · 09/02/2022 14:14

@HadaVerde

Visiting friends who live there? Yes fine.

Using it cos it’s closer than another for public use playground? No of course it’s not ok.

I’m amazed people think this is ok.

Well so far, it's only you that doesn't think it's ok...
HunkyPunk · 09/02/2022 14:14

There won’t be any residential restrictions on usage of the playground. Even if there were, how on earth would anyone know if you’re a resident or not?

Justcallmebebes · 09/02/2022 14:14

*Visiting friends who live there? Yes fine.

Using it cos it’s closer than another for public use playground? No of course it’s not ok.

I’m amazed people think this is ok.*

@HadaVerde - With all due respect, you are very wrong

LampLighter414 · 09/02/2022 14:15

Often there is a little collection box at the gate for those who don't live in council houses to make a donation to upkeep of the park. So stick a quid in that and use it guilt free!

RedCandyApple · 09/02/2022 14:15

@HadaVerde

Visiting friends who live there? Yes fine.

Using it cos it’s closer than another for public use playground? No of course it’s not ok.

I’m amazed people think this is ok.

What? I visit the playground next to my children’s school and I don’t live near there (we live about 20 mins walk from the school) you’re saying that’s not ok? How odd
MorningStarling · 09/02/2022 14:16

If it's a council estate it's fine for outsiders to use, because it's effectively public property funded by taxation. It's as much yours as anybody's.

It would be different if it were a privately owned estate, it would be wrong for an outsider to use the facilities because they're not contributing anything towards it.

Marmm · 09/02/2022 14:16

The council put it there for anyone to use. I can see why you're questioning it though. Like if it was a fancy private estate with a separate door for the council flats they like to segarate people..

JudgeRindersMinder · 09/02/2022 14:16

@HadaVerde

Visiting friends who live there? Yes fine.

Using it cos it’s closer than another for public use playground? No of course it’s not ok.

I’m amazed people think this is ok.

Why is it not ok? It’s PUBLIC,amd I assume OP is a council tax paying member of THE PUBLIC🙄
RedCandyApple · 09/02/2022 14:17

HadaVerde does that also mean you only ever visit one playground? Most children would get bored only ever going to the same one, we like to explore different play grounds