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?

Op the easiest thing to do is when walking past ask someone in there do you have to live here to use the park
If they say no go ahead if they say yes even if technically thats not right it would be best not to use anyway
Most likely they will wonder why your even asking but this way it covers you

I think you are fine OP. I walk through an estate on my dog walk. My dog loves the bins on the estate. She doesn’t wee or poop just sniffs the big mental bins… then we leave. Mind you I am out at 615am and there is no one around.

I live on an estate of private houses, and we have two parks. We often get people drive in to the estate to use them, would never occur to met that they shouldn't.

But she’s not talking about a communal facility for the residents. She is talking about a public park

IME Most Families in houses with private gardens are not usually rushing themselves to play in the the local council estate park. Our park here is very nice but families on the private road don't come here - if they did it wouldn't be a big deal. But you just don't see it. They can get to the bigger , greener public park.

It's not about segregating - nobody wants that but in my experience they would only want to play in these parks if there was literally nothing else for miles. Or if their child had a friend on the estate who joins them occasionally for a play date.

Estate parks are usually their because they are densely populated areas with young children but no gardens or outside space. So it is essentially a communal space for the resident s and yes they pay for it. It's not free. That doesn't mean they don't want non residents to use it - unlikely- but it should be acknowledged that they are not freebies for the tenants - even if they are used by anyone - the tenants are paying for them. Look at the service charge breakdowns

@PreparationPreparationPrep completely agree.
There will be lots of different set ups in different places. I've never heard of a family being challenged for kids using the housing funded facilities. But i find people's insistence that their council tax must be paying for these amenities a bit baffling. It'll almost certainly still be tolerated or much more likely welcomed that your kid wants to play on the facilities provided but you can't necessarily claim entitlement because it's public/you think you're paying for it!

@Pazuzu but in some areas the council estates park are the better ones and many on the council estate will now be a private owner , around here we no longer have council estates as they are all bought out by housing associations but people still refer to it as a council eatate
The one the op refers to is a huge one by sounds of things and not in al areas do people pay for the park out of rent either that will vary from place to place

agree with PPP and TPC above.

@HadaVerde what fo you imagine the park/playground to look like? I have posted pictures of two very different parks, the first is a public park which I believe the OP is describing, the second is closer to communal facilities that you describe

@Pazuzu sorry wring person meant for @PreparationPreparationPrep

@HadaVerde

Is this thread still going?!

Yes use it on the nice newbuild estates as well they always have lovely play areas

[quote Idontlikecheesecake]@HadaVerde what fo you imagine the park/playground to look like? I have posted pictures of two very different parks, the first is a public park which I believe the OP is describing, the second is closer to communal facilities that you describe[/quote]
I imagine it as the OP described it. So a play area within a social housing estate. Not a normal grassy public park.

Ive often taken my DD to estate playgrounds, I've never ever seen a single kid using these!

@HadaVerde are there many all social hpusing estates now ?some would of bought , new estates tend to be mixed

I don’t understand why you wouldn’t think it was okay. I used to live on a new build estate with a play park, and it was open to all. A few of the snobby residents wanted to put signage up to make it private but we’re told this wasn’t allowed by the developers. Parks are for everyone

@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.

What a strange response! Of course it's ok! I have driven to really good parks for my children to play on. It's absolutely fine! Don't worry!

Utterly despicable that some builds within the last Tory years have specified that only the children who live in the owned properties can pay, while those children living in the tiny number of ‘affordable’ homes must look on in bewilderment. Is this vileness/bewilderment spilling over into the social psyche? Are you being disingenuous asking about social housing play areas? Don’t stop to think, of course your children can play.

@Ellen2shoes disgusting that any of these have been allowed and developers should be ashamed
Its only a small number though but then reading this many think it also applies to their council estate park which I would be very surprised at otherwise the articles referring to the private places wouldn't seem so shocking

I doubt that anyone would challenge you on it. What I would be somewhat concerned about is if there is any liability insurance, and if it would cover a child who did not live on the council estate, should your child be injured.

@HadaVerde but which picture most looks how you imagine? It would help me, at least, understand where you’re coming from

All this speculation about play areas is so pointless. Every single play area in this country by law has to have a sign that details who it is owned by, contact details and importantly… who the park is for.

@HadaVerde
I also work for a social housing association and you are incorrect in most of what you have said.
We have several 'estates' across the north west, most of them are normal houses on streets and none of them pay service charges for local parks (playgrounds whatever)
IF said park was inside a gated area for a block of flats this would of course be private and likely the upkeep paid for by residents but we don't have any here.
Also, as a social landlord green spaces we own/ manage are for community use, not just for our own tenants. I was actually at an estate in greater Manchester today as they are consulting with tenants/residents on what to do with a piece of land at the end of one of the streets on the estate. Whatever is decided (likely a small swing park as lots of young families on the estate) they will not be paying for it and it will not just be for the use of the social housing tenants.

Poisonivy29.

Ok that’s how it works where you are.

Things are done differently In other places.

Im not incorrect, I have just explained how things work in certain circumstances which are different to yours.

I have posted a London local authority housing policy document that backs up what I have said fgs.