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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
worriedatthemoment · 10/02/2022 20:35

@frogswimming exactly I think many are just assuming , you have to have a sign Otherwise who would know

worriedatthemoment · 10/02/2022 20:37

Also maybe you all need to read you council tax bills when they come in and you will see where the money goes and its not generally council estates playgrounds ( in many cases councils houses are now owned by Housing associations as well )

AllThingsServeTheBeam · 10/02/2022 20:37

@heffalitis you do realise just because some twats threw stones at kids who didn't live near the park, didn't mean it was residents only don't you?

heffalitis · 10/02/2022 20:44

[quote AllThingsServeTheBeam]@heffalitis you do realise just because some twats threw stones at kids who didn't live near the park, didn't mean it was residents only don't you? [/quote]
Yes, it is a different point. Have a look at the post I quoted.

Though I think they were technically just for residents too and they are now gated. It is a different point, though.

limitedperiodonly · 10/02/2022 20:45

[quote Bopping298]@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.

Funnily enough I got shouted out by a council resident for using one of the communal bins on a large London estate (only used it one time as we had a large bulky item of rubbish). We apologised and went home, but lo and behold found out later that as council tax payers who lived within the catchment of this communal bin we were allowed to use it! So not every large bin on an estate is ring-fenced for the residents only ...[/quote]
We had a problem caused by the neighbouring London borough putting up charges for collection of all bulky items in about 2010 when Austerity bit. People would drive through on the main road at the end of my street and dump mattresses and wardrobes and building rubble at the dumpsters set up for domestic small rubbish collection.

It wasn't a major problem for me but it was for the poor bastards who lived at the end of the street and were woken by fly tippers from 5am.

The council moved the dumpsters out of sight of the main road and people were prosecuted for fly tipping because it is bristling with CCTV and number recognition.

I don't really blame them for trying to save money but some people really are stupid. Mostly I blame the cheese parers in their local council for encouraging professional fly tippers.

AllThingsServeTheBeam · 10/02/2022 20:45

@heffalitis all the parks in our estate are gated. Still not resident only.

Cantleave · 10/02/2022 20:47

@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.

Why on earth would it not be okay? Confused The operative word in your comment is public, which means can be used by the people as a whole!

Really struggle to see how you can say it’s okay for someone from miles away (different council area, therefore not contributing anything to public upkeep) to use it, if they are visiting, but the family 5 minutes away (and contributing to local council area and upkeep) can’t!!

heffalitis · 10/02/2022 20:48

[quote AllThingsServeTheBeam]@heffalitis all the parks in our estate are gated. Still not resident only.[/quote]
I haven't said anything about every estate. But just out of interest how do non residents get in? By gated I mean closed gates with a code to get in.

Bebethany · 10/02/2022 20:49

Seeing that your taxes go towards social housing, please use it and I hope your DD enjoys her time making new friends 🌷

Londoncallingme · 10/02/2022 20:50

@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 it’s ok!! It’s a council maintained playground. Some estates have small shops in them, and community centres - guess what? You can use those too!
alexdgr8 · 10/02/2022 20:51

@HadaVerde

heffalitis

Thank you.

ditto. the ones i am talking about, you would not even see, discover unless you were walking in the estate. and in my mind, you should not be doing that unless you have legitimate business there.
some private houses have large front gardens, but that doesn't mean i can set up an easel and start painting the view while seated in the garden. even if it doesn't adversely affect the residents. it's their premises. the communal facilities of a housing estate are for the residents of that estate. if they choose to invite/ allow/ turn a blind eye to others entering, then that's up to them. but it is not by right that non-residents do so. and cannot people disagree without being gratuitously offensive.
LoisLane66 · 10/02/2022 20:53

Hard to conceive that you all think you're correct.
It may well differ from council to council. The town council may hold more sway in it's particular area than the borough or county council.
If in doubt, ring your local council and ask. Then you'll each know the rules in your particular area OR if you'll be visiting any other area where you might wish to use the facilities.

alexdgr8 · 10/02/2022 20:55

[quote worriedatthemoment]@alexdgr8 but many only get permission as they are putting in a playground for local use[/quote]
that is not what i am talking about.
that is a different set-up, akin to providing eg a doctor's surgery or school for an area that may be being developed.
as i said, i am talking about traditional urban housing estates.

justasking111 · 10/02/2022 20:59

Think about it the kids aren't segregated at school so why would they be in a park. Some very odd thinking here

Shell4429 · 10/02/2022 21:01

@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 it’s okay! What is wrong with you? I take my grandchildren to parks in our town and sometimes drive to one in a neighbouring town, they’re all meant for the general public.
Longcovid21 · 10/02/2022 21:02

Of course. You can use any public playground in the country.

worriedatthemoment · 10/02/2022 21:05

@alexdgr8 but we have hardly any of these in the uk , not many gated private estates , even urban estates if they have a park can be used if not they would have a sign up , for legal reasons if nothing else

worriedatthemoment · 10/02/2022 21:08

@alexdgr8 but the front gardens are private they belong to the homeowner the park does not
The local urban estate near me has a park inside that you can only get to by waking in and seeing it and its for all to use
We don't generally segregate kids in the uk
Any private playground will have to have a sign on it
I sometimes walk through yhe estate to up my steps why can't I ? They can walk past my house on my small estate
If its private and no right of way it will say
I can even walk through some farmers fields if its a public right of way

worriedatthemoment · 10/02/2022 21:09

@LoisLane66 or maybe just look for a sign as if private it would have a sign up saying so

frogswimming · 10/02/2022 21:09

"It's huge with a primary school and a post office etc all inside it"

Is what the op said. That doesn't sound like what some pp are picturing.

AllThingsServeTheBeam · 10/02/2022 21:14

@heffalitis never seen one apart from on resorts in Spain

LampLighter414 · 10/02/2022 21:18

@Mummy1608 thanks for the updates. Shame your local collection box was vandalised as I do find it eases any guilt. Hopefully the council will be on it to get it replaced for future trips.

CornishTiger · 10/02/2022 21:19

If it’s council maintained then you are paying for it via your council tax!

movinghelprequired · 10/02/2022 21:19

I live on a council estate. As a leaseholder we do pay for upkeep of the estate (inc playground/other estate facilities) so it is technically for residents. But I often go to others estates and use their playgrounds which are better than ours so I wouldn't bat an eye at non-resident DC in our garden / playarea.

worriedatthemoment · 10/02/2022 21:31

@movinghelprequired so you are a leaseholder not a tenant ?
And does it actually say anywhere in your lease its only for residents ? Most private estates pay maintenance but it doesn't mean it only for their use

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