No Ball Games!!

[cori]

recently everyhouseholdre in our street recieved a leter from the local council saying that it had recieved complaints about children palying ball games in the green grassy area out the fron of our homes. They are canvassing opinions and may erect a no ball games sign, or something on long those lines.
I imagine the complaints come form the number of Victor Meldrew types that live in our quiet cul de sac. There only half a dozen children in the street and there are never more than two at time playing ball games out there. As far as i am aware there have never been any incidents of damage to any property. So i am quite outraged that they could in effect ban me from kicking a ball around with my 21 year old DS.
So i am in the middle of drafting a letter to my point of view forward. Does any body remember the news story from the summer that commented on the lack of childrens play areas, and that children are being bullied by neighbours who are insensitive to the needs of children.
i think it was a childrens charity but cant remember which one

I think that this is one of the problems with society today. If you live on a quiet cul-de-sac with a grassy area you can expect children with balls IMO. I live on one for this very reason. Don't actually bother taking DS out on the grass to play with a ball yet. But we did build a snowman there last winter which DS still remembers. I wanted us to live somewhere where my children could play out in relative safety. Probably some older children with a football have kicked it into a car or something. Sorry no help with your query but a bit of indignation and moral support.

Cori - I assume you mean 21 month old ds?!

I think this stinks myself, and am sure you must have a good case to object. Contact your local MP. I would.

Cori - bloody sad isnt it that kids cant even play football near there home where you can keep an eye on them
and yes I do realise (before anyone gets on my back) that a ball banging against a wall or car for hours is annoying as I have to put up with it everyday.
But as far as I am concerned as long as a child is in a safe vicinity and it doesnt go on after say 9pm I am happy with the ball banging against my wall.
Good luck with your campaign.

I give you an academic reference below, Cori. A consultancy working for the Scottish Executive, Kit Campbell Associates, discuss at length the importance of quiet residential streets and local green spaces in general as children's play spaces. Also, these sorts of spaces are important to encourage activity; lest we forget that child obesity rates have risen alarmingly, in recent years.

Kit Campbell Associates (2001) Rethinking Open Space, The Scottish Executive, Edinburgh.

No doubt those Victor Meldrews who complained will soon be complaining about groups of bored kids hanging around. I bet THEY played ball games in the street when they were young.

I have to confess Cori, that when I was childless and living in a cul de sac it used to drive my bloody spare when the boys in the street played football - loudly (with shouting and whooping) - outside my front window. They were good kids but I just didn't need it!

I expect that even now I have a child I'd feel similary, but since I now live on a busy road its no longer an issue.

I am battening down the hatches and waiting for the criticisms for saying the unthinkable...

Is it coming...

Is it safe to come out?

(slinking off - furtively)

yes , i did mean 21 month old. When DS is 21 years old he can fight his own battles.

yes; handlemecarefully, i remember prebaby living in a flat with communal gardens and the kids would create a hell of a racket in summer, was really annoying. But kids need to play dont they?. Better than off learning how steal hub caps.
There is only about 6-7 kids under 16 in our street, and there is never more than two or three playing out the front, so i think the oldies just like to whinge.

Zebra;
Where can i find
Kit Campbell Associates (2001) Rethinking Open Space, The Scottish Executive, Edinburgh.

would it be in the library?

kids need to play outside imo. where i live all we have is a car aprk as the rest is a building site atm. i used to live in a block of flats with a huge grassy area outfront. alwayw kids playing there, didnt bother me in the slighest, used to dd1 down there to kick a mini football about.

i think you should ask the council why it houses families in areas with no play facilities and ask what fundin the council has put aside and ask how they intend to involve residents in this issue rather than the lazy sending letter to canvas opinion kind of way. ask if they have a community involvemtn officer, ask when they intend to build a specific place for children to play.

there are funding schemes available usually to be accessed through communities themselves - like:-

the living spaces administered by groundwork.
landgill tax credit - if you live within a 10 mile boundary of a land fill site ( see the environment website)

maybe a few grand of children in need, may be comic relief - but i wouldnt bet on it. may be the lottery - or lottery sports - maybe the sodding council could even put some money into it

if all the children want is a defined area to kick a ball - maybe 3 foot railings would help - not cost hundreds of thousands and would help to keep the ball in an area - without the area being called a play area - if you see what i mean

becuase legally playareas are problems insurance wise for councils - or can be regards upkeep and how lon it it - there are guidelines as to how big a balls game area has to be believe it or not - so armed with this information - ask them their intentions!

oh and - i had a neighbour complained about kids playing in our cul de sac - he was my hubbies best mate as a matter of fact - the sign went up without any consultation - on my garden wall which faced the cul de sac - so i took it down told them it fell off - and them wrote a letter of objection !........and i worked for them at the time too!