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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
Thesearmsofmine · 09/02/2022 14:17

Of course it’s ok. We go to a whole variety of playgrounds because they have different equipment.

Pumpfive · 09/02/2022 14:17

@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!
🤣🤣🤣🤣
Comedycook · 09/02/2022 14:18

There's a housing association estate round the corner from me with a football cage...my Ds would often wander round there to kick a ball despite the fact we didn't live on the estate. It's fine.

mumto2teenagers · 09/02/2022 14:18

Of course it's okay.

@HadaVerde would love to hear why you don't think it's okay

ambushedbywine · 09/02/2022 14:19

@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.

Huh? Confused. Of course it’s totally fine OP. Not everyone lives right next to a playground. You’re supposed to use them even if you don’t live there. Many parents also ‘mix up’ which playgrounds they visit for variety. All totally normal.
Thesearmsofmine · 09/02/2022 14:19

@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!
Where do you live? I have never seen anything like this!
FelicityPike · 09/02/2022 14:19

A (very small) village local to me have great swing park, but since they have no young children living there a few residents have decided to padlock the gate to stop “outsiders” using it.
The council come and cutoff the padlock, but as soon as they leave another one goes on.
Absolute insanity.
Of course you can use any playground you like!

HadaVerde · 09/02/2022 14:20

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?

Comefromaway · 09/02/2022 14:20

There was a playground near my children's primary school. The only council houses there were retirement bungalows. I'm sure those residents are not going to be going on the monkey bars and down the slide.

puffyisgood · 09/02/2022 14:20

it's totally fine.

mewkins · 09/02/2022 14:22

@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.

There's always one! Grin
RedCandyApple · 09/02/2022 14:22

@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?

😂😂😂
Marmm · 09/02/2022 14:22

@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?

Yes if I was waking past it!
Onlyforcake · 09/02/2022 14:22

Putting spark up when houses are built might be included as a cost required of the developer that the council then maintains. You're literally paying somewhere towards the maintenance of all the parks in your area. They're for public use unless it's explicitly stated otherwise (and those places tend to need keys). I use a variety of parks near me, more than one is central to an estate (be it a housing association estate or private ownership/ rental new build estate). I've never had anyone question why my children are at a park that might not be our nearest!

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 09/02/2022 14:22

I wouldn't even think twice to use a public pay park. Its a council amenity.

Marmm · 09/02/2022 14:23

@HadaVerde I think we have very different ideas of what a council estate is

Comefromaway · 09/02/2022 14:23

@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?

Bins belong to individual householders.

Council estates are housing estates owned by the local authority and rented out. There is literally nothing (apart from local knowledge) to distinguish them from other housing estates.

Council playgrounds are situated in a variety of places, some nay be in the middle of private housing, some may be in the middle of council owned housing.

They are council provided facilities for EVERYONE to use.

HopeYourHighHorseBucks · 09/02/2022 14:23

I've lived in quite a few council estates and have never noticed outsiders using it. Never noticed donation boxes either, that would be hacked off within an hour.

What area are you in? I'm in N.London and can promise you no one gives a shit who uses these parks. Even if they did tell them its a public park and carry on. Strange people.

HadaVerde · 09/02/2022 14:23

@mumto2teenagers

Of course it's okay.

@HadaVerde would love to hear why you don't think it's okay

Because they are on the grounds of a council housing estate and are for residents use.

I grew up on a council estate. I have lived on one in my adult life. A large one with blocks of flats (no gardens) and a play area. They are not for general public usage.

BobbinHood · 09/02/2022 14:23

@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?

That’s not how any of this works. Of course you don’t use the bins, because then the residents would have nowhere to put their rubbish. But you don’t “use up” the playground - it’s not a finite resource - and not every neighbourhood has one.
Pumpfive · 09/02/2022 14:23

@HadaVerde with all due respect. Would I use a bin on a council estate? A public bin situation on a council estate? Yes. Someone's private bin? No.
The same applies for other estates/ towns/ villages.
A park is PUBLIC.

I'd love to see you back up your view with evidence.

Crocky · 09/02/2022 14:23

I live on a private estate. When it was built the builder put in a small play park. No one on the estate has any issue with who uses it.

Thesearmsofmine · 09/02/2022 14:23

I cannot imagine being the type of person who would oppose a child playing in a play area because they live on a different road/estate. What a joyless way to live.

Nomoreusernames1244 · 09/02/2022 14:24

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

Is this your opinion or do you have any links to legislation?

Does that apply to other public areas within a council estate too? You can only drive or walk through if you are resident?

Council owned public land is just that, for the public.

BobbinHood · 09/02/2022 14:24

I also grew up in a council flat with a playground outside the blocks and it absolutely wasn’t exclusively for our use.