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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:
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21
Toanewstart23 · 09/02/2022 16:56

@HadaVerde

Toanewstart23

You posted a link about adventure playgrounds in Islington.

Adventure playgrounds have absolutely nothing to do with this thread.

Adventure playground in by Islington council

Ok, put them aside

Seriously just google Islington council estate playgrounds and the buzz word…. Access for ALL

cherrysthename · 09/02/2022 16:57

Gosh my eldest is 16 now and it's never occurred to me to hesitate before letting the kids loose at the (play)park. Regardless of which one, local, visiting friends, family, holidaying, passing through on the way back from shops...parks are for children to play on.

EyesAsGreenAsAFreshPickledToad · 09/02/2022 16:57

@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.

😂

MN is mental sometimes.

WindyState · 09/02/2022 16:58

@HadaVerde

You are talking utter shite.

Of course public playparks are available for all to use.

RG2468 · 09/02/2022 16:59

Course it’s ok! Loads use the one outside my mum’s house that only a few houses pay for (it’s a private developer) but people who use it are not to know that

EyesAsGreenAsAFreshPickledToad · 09/02/2022 16:59

Often there is a little collection box at the gate

That's a dog shit bin.

Hullabaloo31 · 09/02/2022 17:00

@Watercoloursky I'm EA too, and I'd agree with park for green space, like a country park, but we call the playing equipment the park too. Playground is at school!

Itsalmostanaccessory · 09/02/2022 17:00

@HadaVerde

You are wrong. People who work in town planning are telling you that you are wrong. People who understand the difference between gated private garden an council playpark are telling you that you are wrong.

Look, everyone makes mistakes. Everyone misunderstands things. It is nothing to be embarrassed about. But continuing to argue that public playparks are not for the public because you've misunderstood something is just childish.

rumrunner123 · 09/02/2022 17:01

@lunar1

Where in the country still has council estates? Where ever I've lived, what used to be council estates are now a mix of council, privately owned and privately rented houses.
This was what I was thinking - how do you know who is council/private/owned? Same here, moved 2 years ago and I know to one side they own, the other rent.

Lived in last house 15 years. Next door was owned when we moved in, then owned again, then private landlord got it and rented it out. One of the neighbours a bit further down was still council but I only knew that because she was telling me one day that she was sick of complaining to them about an issue with the property that she had.

It wouldn't even occur to me that I couldn't let kids play in a park unless the park was gated and locked

HadaVerde · 09/02/2022 17:03

Of course public playparks are available for all to use

Of course they are.

The issue is playgrounds for residents of social housing are not for public use.

People seem to not believe this fact but whatever.

GingerAndTheBiscuits · 09/02/2022 17:03

@EyesAsGreenAsAFreshPickledToad

Often there is a little collection box at the gate

That's a dog shit bin.

Post of the thread 😂😂
30not13 · 09/02/2022 17:03

@HadaVerde

Are we really acting like we don’t know the difference between a park and a playground.
You're the only one doing that Hmm
Zilla1 · 09/02/2022 17:05

If a tree falls in a park when no one is there, does it know if it has fallen in a LA playground or a playground for residents of social housing when it can be told 'get off my land'?

Piggyk2 · 09/02/2022 17:06

@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.

People travel to parks all the time... you don't have to stick to where you live.

What would you do on a trip out that's not in your home city? Confused

Itsalmostanaccessory · 09/02/2022 17:06

@HadaVerde

Gated gardens, private gardens, without or without equipment which are attached to social housing flats/housing blocks are private. That's their communal garden.

Park and playgrounds built by the council in a housing estate or outside a housing estate are for use by all. They are included when the council accounts for recreation facilities in a town. Those playgrounds will mean another playground in the vicinity isnt built, because they have one. They are public.

mollypuss1 · 09/02/2022 17:08

@HadaVerde

Of course public playparks are available for all to use

Of course they are.

The issue is playgrounds for residents of social housing are not for public use.

People seem to not believe this fact but whatever.

Stating a pile of bollocks is a fact doesn’t stop it being a pile of bollocks
HoneyFlowers · 09/02/2022 17:09

@HadaVerde ... So what happens if you go on holiday and you pass a play park... You're saying we can't use a park in a different area of the country??

WindyState · 09/02/2022 17:09

@HadaVerde

Of course public playparks are available for all to use

Of course they are.

The issue is playgrounds for residents of social housing are not for public use.

People seem to not believe this fact but whatever.

Because it's not a fact.
TrashyPanda · 09/02/2022 17:10

@HadaVerde

I know I’m a lone voice here but communal areas including playgrounds within social housing estates are for residents use and the general public ie non residents can be excluded.

They really aren’t for general public use.

They really do belong to everyone. The council own and maintain the playpark the land of behalf of the residents of the town. Whether they live in social or private housing. That means the playgrounds are actually owned by the town residents. There is no way anyone can be excluded, as this would be unlawful. If the council maintains the park - it is open to everyone.

Hope you can realise you’ve been labouring under a huge misconception.

Tilltheend99 · 09/02/2022 17:11

I have wondered similar, except about posh new build block of flats near us. There is a public right of way next to it as it is right next but the play area has just gone up. You hear stories on the news about people in mixed housing new builds who don’t want the people in ‘affordable’ bit using their facilities etc

HadaVerde · 09/02/2022 17:11

My god.

People seriously don’t know the difference between a public park and a play area in a social housing estate.

🙄

Tilltheend99 · 09/02/2022 17:11

*next to the river

Bluebubbletrouble · 09/02/2022 17:12

I live in a council house, however the majority of the estate are bought and private.

I'd better go and tell all my neighbours they aren't to walk on the pavement outside my house as it's council. HmmWink

mollypuss1 · 09/02/2022 17:12

@HadaVerde

My god.

People seriously don’t know the difference between a public park and a play area in a social housing estate.

🙄

Are you referring to yourself in the third person now?
Blossomtoes · 09/02/2022 17:12

@HadaVerde

My god.

People seriously don’t know the difference between a public park and a play area in a social housing estate.

🙄

Because there isn’t one - or at least only in your head. 🙄
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