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

[Mummy1608]

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?

@LondonQueen

How would they know you lived there or not?

Bouncers on the gate.

@LampLighter414

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!

Collection box ?? It’s a council play park not church service 🤣🤣

[quote BertieBotts]@Watercoloursky I lived in Warwickshire (I did actually say in my post :o)

Interesting that you use them the "international" way (as I've come to think of it!)[/quote]
So sorry - missed it, well done me! I must have been so fascinated while reading your definitions that I completely skipped over the words 'Leamington Spa'...

Maybe it's just East Anglia being typically 'Normal for Norfolk'! Though you and I do have one thing in common - I also use 'playground' to refer to the concreted area outside a school - basically, I use it for all outdoor areas specifically for children to play in.

Funny old thing, the English language...

@Itsalmostanaccessory that’s why this case is interesting because the play park itself is enclosed but the land surrounding it is public access from the road to the footpath along the river.

There is a difference between a public park and one on an estate, whether it’s council owned or privately owned homes.
(Although I do think the replies would be different if it was a park for privately owned homes).

To me it’s similar as using a car park on an estate - it may not have a sign saying ‘residents only’ but if everyone parked there then that wouldn’t be fair on the residents, even though technically it’s allowed.

Many residents move to the estate as they like the idea of a park that’s ‘safer’ and would rather have their kids go there alone than the main public park.

It’s very annoying when you have loads of teens hanging around the park when they’re not even from there.

However in this scenario I think it’s fine if you only live around the corner and want to make new friends.

@Tilltheend99

Playparks are enclosed for the safety if the children using them. Not because they are private.

It is public land with a work built using public money. There isnt anything interesting about it.

It is 100% different from private facilities paid for by individuals. Those are not public, and dont use public money and are not for use unless you have paid for it.

Of course you can, your local council will make a green space assessment of an area and the closest playground will be taken into account regardless of which estate it's on.

That's why developers have to provide playparks on new build estates it's not because they're being kind it's because there isn't one within a certain distance.

*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?

@TrashyPanda

3.1 Communal green spaces owned by the council in our capacity as a social housing landlord form part of the estate or block they are associated with. They are distinguished from open spaces, parks or other public land open to members of the public by clearly defined boundaries

That refers to green verges, bits at ends of roads etc that you see the council mowing. Not parks

No. It included play areas too.

It's taxpayer funded so should be open to taxpayers

@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.

They're just public parks they don't belong to a particular set of streets. Are you maybe from another country where it's slightly different?

@roarfeckingroarr

It's taxpayer funded so should be open to taxpayers

And if you don't pay tax?

@HadaVerde

A playground within the grounds of a council estate is for residents use.

A playground in a park or on a recreational field or similar is obviously for general public use.

Would you use the bins on a council estate too?

Erm yes those are also public amenities funded by everyone for everyone

@HadaVerde

‘Bins belong to individual householders.

Apart from the large communal ones on housing estates.

Which incidentally people would drive into and fill up with their crap too.

Ah just seen this, no those are for the flats etc but I would use normal street bins

@HadaVerde

I’ve posted an excerpt upthread from Islington council regarding the use of communal facilities provided for tenants.

What I’m saying isn’t my opinion, it’s how things work on estates like that with shared communal facilities.

I’ve had similar in my own tenancy agreements too. Wording that outlines your entitlement to use said facilities and even a part about your own visitors also being able to use them under your supervision and that you are responsible for any damage caused by your visitors.

These types of facilities really aren’t for the use of the general public.

You misunderstood that para you quoted - it does not say what you want it to.

It isn’t the way things work on estates.

The details in your tenancy agreement state what you may do. This does not mean that other people cannot use the playpark.

@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.

Don't be so ridiculous

@WonderfulYou

There is a difference between a public park and one on an estate, whether it’s council owned or privately owned homes. (Although I do think the replies would be different if it was a park for privately owned homes).

To me it’s similar as using a car park on an estate - it may not have a sign saying ‘residents only’ but if everyone parked there then that wouldn’t be fair on the residents, even though technically it’s allowed.

Many residents move to the estate as they like the idea of a park that’s ‘safer’ and would rather have their kids go there alone than the main public park.

It’s very annoying when you have loads of teens hanging around the park when they’re not even from there.

However in this scenario I think it’s fine if you only live around the corner and want to make new friends.

OMG now people think not only do they own public parks but they own public car parks and probably the road too. Any parking that is for residents says so. Otherwise anyone can use it. We have only a path to our house, no drive, no private parking places - there are parking spots at the end of the path but they are on the public road so if other people park there then we have to park further away from our house. But if you'd like to tell people that they can't park there unless they are residents then do please come round!

I can understand why you questioned this. When my children were tiny we occasionally walked within sight of a playground within an estate. It was kind of tucked away off the main roads so you had to walk into the estate to use it. It was council run with the signage on the gate, listed on the council website as a public playground etc. At the time I actually checked as we played in it a couple of times but felt really uncomfortable doing so. It was closely overlooked by the surrounding homes and you didn't tend to see many adults in it so I assumed they were supervising from the flats but it always felt that everyone we saw was looking at us with curiosity.
More recently we actually rented a place overlooking that same playground for a short time. It was so different to what I had experienced, everyone was so friendly, I was stopped every time i opened the door, and they really did seem to know everything about everyone who lived there so I could see how people who didn't live there would be noticed! My children wouldn't go near that playground then as they found it too intense, they kept telling us they had seen drug dealers (police were constantly around too) so they were a bit scared.

Millions of replies by now but toddler DS wanted to play at a council estate playground once and I said no assuming it was private, but residents told me it wasn't and directed me to the open gate! So in that case it was open to all.

@Mummy1608

Thank you guys so much for the reassurance! Seems like most ppl think it's ok, whew 😅 I'm going to head there once dd wakes up from this late nap!

To the pp who mentioned making friends with the parents on the estate, yes definitely this is part of my motive! I live on a short road with mostly older neighbours and all my mum-friends are a proper bus ride away... it would be fab to make a friend closer by for more spontaneous playdates. But also this particular playground has got so much cool equipment in it, my dd is going to love it.

Thanks to everyone for your reassurance xxx

Just don’t use any bins

@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.

London ?

It included play areas too

No, it does not. You have misunderstood.
Had playpark been included in the definition, they would have been specially mentioned. The absence of this means they are not included. They are mentioned in the list of areas that are for everyone.

@Simonesignoret what a rude and unpleasant comment

@TrashyPanda

It included play areas too

No, it does not. You have misunderstood.
Had playpark been included in the definition, they would have been specially mentioned. The absence of this means they are not included. They are mentioned in the list of areas that are for everyone.

List of areas that are for everyone? If by everyone you mean tenants and leaseholders then yes.

If its not fenced off it's basically a public area