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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
Toanewstart23 · 09/02/2022 19:46

I have a lot of respect for @HadaVerde

She persisted and persisted and…. Persisted Grin

HoneyFlowers · 09/02/2022 19:56

A troll on here??

HadaVerde · 09/02/2022 19:59

Yep I’m still here.

Replying to whoever quotes me and asks me something.

I stand by everything I’ve said because it’s all based on fact. Not opinion like so many.

Come on, some here genuinely don’t know the difference between a public park and a communal facility for residents. All the while people think these are the same they won’t see the issue.

I’m not the only person saying this on this thread btw.

Trainbear · 09/02/2022 20:00

Or on trampolines.

HadaVerde · 09/02/2022 20:01

@HoneyFlowers

A troll on here??
Troll doesn’t mean someone saying something the majority disagree with.
WonderfulYou · 09/02/2022 20:02

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.

Yes of course you can park in a carpark on a council estate but it’s pretty shitty to do so when you don’t live there.

thickthighs73 · 09/02/2022 20:05

@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?

What a load of shit!
SD1978 · 09/02/2022 20:11

Flipping heck, I hadn't realised that using the nicer public play park the next estate over, still owned and maintained by the council, was such an offence. Our local play park is shite, and I use the new upgraded one instead- still paid for and maintained by the council. Unless it's a privately maintained play park- sorry @HadaVerde, your logic sounds unitedly unhinged. Segregated by location parks? Only for locals, and all else keep out? That's not how publicly owned and maintained play parks work- that would be private ones. I have also never, ever seen a public play park with a pay box!!!!!! Can anyone else confirm if they have?

To answer your actual question- visit any park you want. That's why they are public.

mewkins · 09/02/2022 20:15

@Toanewstart23

I have a lot of respect for *@HadaVerde*

She persisted and persisted and…. Persisted Grin

Yes but if she has kids they must be really limited on which parks they are allowed to play in.
HadaVerde · 09/02/2022 20:17

See, more and more posters writing under the incorrect assumption that the op was talking about a public park.

It’s a play area for residents of a social housing estate, within the boundaries of the estate. That’s really not the same thing as a park.

Why is that so difficult to grasp.

HadaVerde · 09/02/2022 20:19

I’ve got 3 children. They played in the residents play area where we lived and numerous public parks, wooded areas, beaches etc. You know, all sorts of publicly accessible places.

Toanewstart23 · 09/02/2022 20:22

And still persisting! Grin

HadaVerde · 09/02/2022 20:24

Yep and still right. 😁

Sickoffamilydrama · 09/02/2022 20:26

This might be useful to some www.freeparks.co.uk/contact-us/

Helpful when so overzealous locals put up signs in a park 5 mins drive from us saying residents only as it also tells you how some of them are funded/maintained....guess what my council taxes paid for the bloody thing! Along with a lottery grant so everyone who bought a ticket can go there too!

PuzzledObserver · 09/02/2022 20:26

Question: does said play area have a sign up saying “Residents’ Use Only”?

Because if it doesn’t, then it is a public facility that anyone can use.

Legoisthebest · 09/02/2022 20:27

I used to walk through a small estate to take my then toddler daughter to a stay and play (and the stay and play was actually moved to a church hall on this estate). We often stopped off a a play area in the estate.
The estate - going by the style of the houses - was built in the 80s. I didn't grow up here so I don't really know. I often saw (and still see) houses on the estate advertised for sale or rent in local estate agents.
Turns out - from talking to some people I know that live there - this estate was built originally as council houses. It is therefore in theory a 'council estate.' Some of the properties still are, most have been bought under right to buy. I wouldn't have known that. There are no signs or anything to say that. No 'welcome to This 1980s Council Estate'. It's just a group of streets with some houses.
Basically.... how do people know whether an estate is 'council' or not (unless it's the obvious post war houses design or ugly 60s brutalist style) - answer = often you don't.

Wheelz46 · 09/02/2022 20:28

@HadaVerde unless there is an official notice stating 'residents only' then it's free for all 🤣 if you disagree, call the council up and ask them to sort it out. If all else fails, perhaps you could organise some bouncers at the park/playground entrance!

Circleofapples · 09/02/2022 20:29

@Iwannabewherethepeopleare

Who was that to? *@Circleofapples*
Sorry, meant to reply to the troll of the group who I thought was ludicrous by page 2 - hadn’t realised they’d gone full fruit loop Grin.
Sickoffamilydrama · 09/02/2022 20:29

Although actually looking at the map it's missing the 60 ones my local town council lists as maintaining. But then it is reliant on people submitting information!

Legoisthebest · 09/02/2022 20:31

Hada just give up dear....you are wrong. Just accept it. Please to just put us all out of our misery Grin

HadaVerde · 09/02/2022 20:38

@Legoisthebest

Hada just give up dear....you are wrong. Just accept it. Please to just put us all out of our misery Grin
If I was wrong and had been proven so I would say so.

I’m not wrong. A million posters saying I’m wrong because their opinion is different to mine isn’t proving me wrong.

So kindly jog on.

Legoisthebest · 09/02/2022 20:40

Hada ok ok....chill.

LucyfurMorningstar · 09/02/2022 20:40

@HadaVerde can you post a link to the council estate playground you are refering to? A road and area will suffice. That should clear up any misconceptions from everybody.

Wafflefudge · 09/02/2022 20:42

Maybe Hada is picturing a private park different to what everyone else is picturing. It would be good if they could post a photo of the one they had in mind.
I'm picturing a play park that is located in a large estate that you can drive through but I think they might be picturing a park enclosed by flats all around.

Wheelz46 · 09/02/2022 20:44

@HadaVerde but your not answering anyone who questions why there isn't an official sign stating 'residents only' is this because you have realised you are wrong and don't want to back down?