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?

@HadaVerde

So you think the children of the council estate should be segregated from children not of the council estate?

Don’t be silly.

I think we all know who the silly one is here 😂

I think @HadaVerde is purposely on the wind up now. Either that or she’s one of those flat earther type people who insist they are right even though all the evidence in the (round) world proves them wrong.

I can’t believe how long HadaVerde has argued about this. Very sad.

@3Daddy31982 how many threads on MN talk about moving to 'naice' areas and avoiding undesirable ones, getting in catchment areas of good schools etc. We all know it's shorthand for poor working class areas ignoring the fact that huge swaithes of the population live in those very areas. God forbid you live near a council estate...it's also the main rationale for private schooling so middle class kids aren't exposed to the supposedly disruptive offspring of us plebs.

@RedCandyApple

I can’t believe how long HadaVerde has argued about this. Very sad.

Stamina!

toblerone even in London very few of the 'council estates' are fully council owned now. Even those crappy 'sink' estates are full of properties now privately owned thanks to right to buy.

@HadaVerde

I'm a private tenant living on a council estate.

I have a park/playground literally outside my front door. Because I'm not a council tenant, does that mean my kids have to stand at the windows watching the other children play?

I mean, the council didn't drag us away or the kids from the surrounding areas when they hosted play sessions in the summer and took
Our names and addresses to send us more details.

You're talking bollocks.

@RedCandyApple

I can’t believe how long HadaVerde has argued about this. Very sad.

Honestly, I admire the dedication at this point

@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?

Literally crying at this.🤣🤣 should we employ security at these select members/residents only playgrounds? The children could bring a council tax bill along to prove they live near and within the "playground catchment area" that you outline, before they go on the slide.

It's a PUBLIC playground, open for ANYONE to use.

I am glad you and your daughter had a nice time OP.

The area I live in was built as council housing, along with the amenities including a football pitch and play park.

The vast majority of houses are privately owned and have been for decades. Is the PP suggesting the playpark is only for the tiny handful of council tenants?
It's used by anyone who lives within a mile or so, I would say, but is open to everyone.

I have to say I'm surprised about the collection box. I have never seen that - I assumed it was a joke which went straight over my head.

@HadaVerde

My god.

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

🙄

It is all semantics. The town where I live has lots of fields containing play equipment. Some are called parks, others are called playing fields, open spaces, play areas etc. However generally that are all know as parks. They are all for public use wherever you live. There are also a few completely gated areas which belong to council estates which can only be accessed from the council houses through back gardens. I highly doubt that this is what the OP was referring to.

@BertieBotts

I have to say I'm surprised about the collection box. I have never seen that - I assumed it was a joke which went straight over my head.

I think it was! I literally laughed out loud when she said they do contactless nowadays!

Only frowned upon if on private land. We visit little play areas all over the place.

But OP said she found one!

Is that also part of the joke?

How about this:

“I live on the edge a big council estate, which has a lovely play area, but it’s right on the other side of the estate, 15 minutes’ walk from my house.

There is an area of private housing just a few minutes’ walk from my house, where there is a play area which is owned and maintained by the council. Would it be OK for me to use that one?”

I think we know the answer to that.

@BertieBotts

But OP said she found one!

Is that also part of the joke?

Not a joke, there really was a vandalised collection box at one of the gates to the playground! I'll take a pic when I go next week! It was small and not obvious and also very much broken... I guess I can make a donation online or something one day.

It’s a children’s play park for local children.

You are local.

Of course you can use it unless it says ‘residents only’.

@Comefromaway

A big park

The nearest bus stop to me is on a council estate. Am I not allowed to catch a bus there because I don't live in a council house? The nearest postbox is also on the council estate. Do I have to go somewhere else to post my letters?

BTW, this estate is now about 50% council renters, 40% owner-occupied and 10% private-rented. Within its boundaries are two "parks", a church, a pub, a fire station, several shops, a GP, a dentist, a primary school etc. None of these are for the estate only.

In my part of Scotland they tend to be called swing parks, usually shortened to parks. Parents that are just grass, are also just parks but they’d just get used interchangeably ‘I’m taking the bairn to the park’ you’d probably assume the swings, ‘we’re going for a picnic to the park’ - probably not sitting inside the swing park. Playground is mostly at schools. Council estates come in all shapes and sizes too. Some wide open with parks etc some with tower blocks with a small park inside. I think if it has no notices up, or obvious means of keeping people away, then it is a public facility. Imagine only ever taking your kids to the one park nearest your house. God, the monotony.

Says who?

@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.

But no where does it ever stipulate this!!

@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.

Of course she can. Would you never take kids to a park except your nearest ?

Who was that to? @Circleofapples