Public views sought on Wild Play initiative

Studies show that playing outside is key to children’s healthy development, but many children are spending less and less time on active and immersive outdoor play – perhaps because there aren’t as many opportunities to ‘play out’ as there once were.

Stroud Valleys Project (SVP), with the support of Stroud District Council, is planning to create play areas for children at the canalside Capel’s Mill site in Stroud. Capel’s Mill, located just off Dr Newton’s Way opposite Waitrose, provides a welcome area for local people to relax and enjoy the town’s rich natural and industrial heritage. A former rubbish dump, the area has in recent years been transformed by the hard work of SVP volunteers into a beautiful area for recreation where wildlife also thrives.

To reflect the rich biodiversity of the site, the team at SVP are planning to install play equipment that uses natural themes and materials and encourages children to become immersed in the natural world around them.

Project officer Sharon Gardham explains, “We’re keen to hear what residents and other users of Capel’s Mill think of our plans, so during April we held two on-site consultations, distributing a questionnaire to local residents, and talking to local groups that use the site.

“We also welcome responses from any other Stroud residents or Capel’s Mill site users via our online questionnaire.”

You can find details about the project here and you can complete the online questionnaire by following this link.