An app to find playgrounds - prototyped in Walthamstow

[kensalfleming]

Hi everyone
I am a dad of 2 and often find myself looking for playgrounds when out and about to let the kids have a run about. The information on google maps isn't very good so I'm setting out to build a 'playground finder' app.

Really interested in your views. Do people think this is a good idea? What features would you want to see?

You can see a proof of concept here I build using Waltham Forest data and a mapping tool called CartoDB. Let me know if you think this idea is worth pursuing!

playgrounddata.wordpress.com/playground-finder-tool/

Thanks a lot
Chris

I imagine this app being useful on holiday, when there's a little more time to explore the area. Otherwise, if I'm in an area that I don't know, & have the kids with me, then I'd either be there for a specific reason (eg out shopping, visiting something), or with someone who does know the area. Maybe concentrate it on tourist areas in the first instance?

I think it's a great idea.
I've recently moved and struggling to find a decent playground that has toddler equipment. The one nearest to me has two toddler swings and an enormous slide that isn't suitable. I've tried the local council website but they are generally non specific with regards to equipment.
It could be handy for days out that are not too far or just a change of scenery.

I'm pretty sure I used something similar (although web based, not app based) when I visited Germany. It also had the ability to post reviews of the playground which was helpful.

My local authority lists all their playgrounds on their website.

I would use this. When visiting places I don't want to bother with the council website, never know if it'll be any good. Reviews would be good too.

Is there not one on/ near Pembroke rd walthanstow anymore?

It would be so handy, I often wish I knew where all the playgrounds in my city were as it gets dull going to the same ones.

However, I guess there is an unpleasant reason they don't feature on normal maps?

Great idea, often driving through somewhere on the look out for a playground.

I would use this - even in my small town I have no idea where there is a park with play equipment for younger children

Meringue I doubt there's an unpleasant reason - it's more that they're not money making facilities, so no-one's going to be bothered to input the data onto eg Google maps. There's nothing stopping people from adding the information, but would you take time out to register a Google Places account, to add a point on the map detailing the swings/slides available at your local play area?

Ginocchio and Meringue - i was wondering about the potentially unpleasant aspect of having this kind of information out there. one thing i thought was that it might actually be useful for law enforcement agencies to understand patters of data access for these places by people online.

Really appreciating the comments. Will definitely do some further development.

shakemysilliesout - pretty sure the data I have uploaded is out of date so don't take information as read! thanks

I live in Germany and use an app like this called babyplaces (have a look am sure there's an English option). It's really good, there are options to search for playgrounds, changing facilities, child friendly restaurants and cafes, baby/children's shops and other things. Like vvviola said you can register and review things too which make is very helpful.

I would love this app, please let us know if it gets developed.

Yes but why isn't it on the ONS and street maps like everything else?

It's a good idea.

I've searched online for playgrounds in various areas, including where I live, and never come up with much in the way of useful results. Often what comes up are paid places like soft plays or adventure parks. Otherwise you get a list of municipal parks and none or very little info on what play equipment is actually there.

Make sure you can filter by age range, type of play equipment, skate park, basketball hoop, cafe, toilet facilities, shade, shelter. Highlight those ones that have areas for little children alongside more advanced play. Include photos if you can.

It would be massively useful when travelling. Accommodation staff often have no idea where the nearest decent play park is, and they are seldom shown with good info on local area maps.

Two points for me:

• could you add a photo of the playground to your pop up? It tells you so much (type/quantity/condition of equipment)
• if you're looking to monetise it, why don't you look to sell it to a brand (maybe an appropriate "on the go" snack brand - baby bel, etc). Although, I don't know if you can protect / copyright it; it'd be easily replicated...

Hi OP, and others,
Hope you don't mind but we're going to move this thread to our Start-ups board in a moment.