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AIBU?

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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:
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21
FantasticFebruary · 09/02/2022 14:55

@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 lot of nonsense. It's a public play park, like any other!
RedToothBrush · 09/02/2022 14:55

@Bitofachinwag

So if you call a playground a park what do you call an actual park ( green space with trees etc)

Surely housing estates merge into eachother and are not surrounded by moats or anything. It's not always clear if a playground belongs to " the council estate" or ",,the 1980s Bovis Homes estate".
Of course you can use any playground.

"Oi keep out 1980s Bovis kids here only. Get off our estate"

Thank fuck we do not have guns in this country.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 09/02/2022 14:55

I know I’m a lone voice here but communal areas including playgrounds within social housing estates are for residents use and the general public ie non residents can be excluded.

They really aren’t for general public use.

You keep saying this, but not explaining why you believe it to be true. Does your estate have signs prohibiting non residents from using the playground?

Lifeismeh · 09/02/2022 14:56

@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 dick answer 😂
Rewis · 09/02/2022 14:56

For me it depends on the set up. There are public ones that are available to everyone and then there are private ones that are available to people living in the estate (even if the houses are council owned).

The one where I grew up was only for the 20 houses (and our friends) but the one next to my parents current house is a public one and available for everyone. So if it's behind a gate/bushes acting as gates right infront of the council houses then I'd assume its for residents only but if its just around the area then I'd assume its for everyone.

AryaStarkWolf · 09/02/2022 14:57

@HadaVerde

Are we really acting like we don’t know the difference between a park and a playground.
Both Parks and Playgrounds, regardless of what people call them are for public use (unless they're on private property) so it really doesn't make a difference anyway
NewGlassesHappyGirl · 09/02/2022 14:57

I live on an estate where all the homes bar the odd few are owned by a housing association, technically the park is also owned and maintained by the HA and there is signs that say so but I've never had my address confirmed or asked about when I walk in and wouldn't be upset if anyone else from the private owned homes or another estate used it.

RB68 · 09/02/2022 14:58

so where people don't own their own houses but only rent from the council they have essentially private play areas but where they do own their own housing the parks are a free for all - long gone are those days - open access play for all I say. Its her closest park, she pays council tax, she does not benefit from council subsidised rents I think she is perfectly entitled to go and play there and invite any friend she desires to join in

ICanTuckMyBoobsInMyPockets · 09/02/2022 14:59

I can tell you categorically, because it's part of my job, that they absolutely are for general public usage.

Many council properties have now been sold off under the Right To Buy scheme. Does you mean those people now can not use the park as they are not part of 'the council estate'?

PrettyBluebells · 09/02/2022 14:59

I've been to every playground in my town several times over, I've even been to some in nearby towns, they're for public consumption.

For those in my own town, I pay council tax, so I contribute. Probably 0.1p towards it, the same as everyone else, lol

VickyEadieofThigh · 09/02/2022 14:59

@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!
Never seen such a thing.

Any park or playground that allows public access is open to any member of the public to use as appropriate.

Bluemonkey2029 · 09/02/2022 15:00

@HadaVerde out of interest, what is your definition of a park and what is your definition of a playground?

Where I'm from you have play park (aka playground) which is more commonly called 'the park' and also we have parks which are large green spaces - also called 'the park'.

alexdgr8 · 09/02/2022 15:01

@HadaVerde

I know I’m a lone voice here but communal areas including playgrounds within social housing estates are for residents use and the general public ie non residents can be excluded.

They really aren’t for general public use.

i agree. i wouldn't dream of using their facilities. unless i was with someone who lived there. some have communal washing lines; would you bring your laundry there to hang it out ? a playground is for the residents in an estate. it is not a public park. similar to parking in the estate versus on a public road.
MyfanwyMontez · 09/02/2022 15:01

It’s a local park for local people!😃

You are definitely not being unreasonable OP.

Bitofachinwag · 09/02/2022 15:01

Thanks *Icantuck"

Original poster
Mummy1608 · 09/02/2022 15:02

Ps definitely no donation box! I've never seen one of those.

Sorry I should have mentioned this before but I've honestly just remembered it. Elsewhere in the estate there is an "outdoor gym" like a playground for adults with a step machine and arm-raise-machine thing. And that does actually have a little plaque saying residents only, but I haven't seen a notice next to the kids playground. (I walk past the outdoor gym everyday and I've never seen anyone use it, not even once 😅)

To the pp who said the estates all merge together...not this one really...hard to explain but it's huge with a primary school and a post office etc all inside it

OP posts:
SoftSheen · 09/02/2022 15:02

It's fine. We used to live on a private housing estate which had a green space and two small playgrounds. These were frequently used by non-residents (including, probably, residents of the local council estate) and no-one had the slightest problem with this. Why would they?

Playgrounds on public land are paid for by our taxes, and are for all children to enjoy.

Original poster
Mummy1608 · 09/02/2022 15:03

@ICanTuckMyBoobsInMyPockets

I can tell you categorically, because it's part of my job, that they absolutely are for general public usage.

Many council properties have now been sold off under the Right To Buy scheme. Does you mean those people now can not use the park as they are not part of 'the council estate'?

This is reassuring thank you!!
OP posts:
onepieceoflollipop · 09/02/2022 15:03

Well this one is for the local community not just those on the estate.
I had a good Google and couldn’t find anything that said people can’t use playgrounds on housing estates (apart from those that are clearly private gardens)
I would conclude that if it was a major issue most of us would have been in trouble long before now…

Can I use the playground of a council estate if we don't live there?
RedToothBrush · 09/02/2022 15:03

Donation box? That hasn't been vandalised?!

Firesidefox · 09/02/2022 15:04

Loving this thread! I think @HadaVerde has no evidence of the outlandish claims s/he is making so is possiby just rather grumpy.

And as for @LampLighter414 you are having us on with your contactless pay points!!!

FoamBurst · 09/02/2022 15:04

We also use them all. Our local one is the pits.
There's a few lovely ones. From a 5 min walk to a 20 min drive. We use them all on a rotation or certain ones if they take scooters, balls with the field etc

MonkeyPuddle · 09/02/2022 15:05

The words playground and park are interchangeable for me, essentially I mean the play equipment. A big green area, maybe with play equipment in is a park. Parks near me are council owned anyway.
I used to drive to a big park near us as the play equipment was so good, was a massive multiple acre green space with a wood and a cafe. Smack between a council estate (some still council, some private rented, some owned) and a new build estate. Didn’t once cross my mind not to go there.

Play equipment in a public space is a free for all in my eyes.

anon12345678901 · 09/02/2022 15:05

@RB68

so where people don't own their own houses but only rent from the council they have essentially private play areas but where they do own their own housing the parks are a free for all - long gone are those days - open access play for all I say. Its her closest park, she pays council tax, she does not benefit from council subsidised rents I think she is perfectly entitled to go and play there and invite any friend she desires to join in
I agree with this. It's taxpayers money that pays for the playground so why shouldn't OP be able to use it? Unless we can now say if you live on a council estate, please don't use any facilities outside of that. The playground isn't a private garden for you. It's public.
Original poster
Mummy1608 · 09/02/2022 15:06

@GaiusHelenMohiam

Haha we have a mad woman on a local estate who runs out and shouts at any outsiders using the park.

She’s batshit and is the constant subject of posts about her nonsense on the local FB page.

I wonder if she’s posting on this thread…Grin

Lol so I have been (completely irrationally) been shy of going in case something like this happens haha. This is why I posted!

But I'm feeling reassured so I think I will go once dd wakes up from this really late nap!

OP posts: