Country park is ideal venue for special play day
Play day fun
Barry's Porthkerry Country Park has been the venue for an
inaugural "Get Out and Play" Day involving more than 80 children
and adults.
The successful event was organised by the Vale of Glamorgan
Council's Play Development Officer, Jo Jones, who worked in
partnership with the authority's Parks Department and was supported
by Re-create (Cardiff and the Vale Play Resource Centre) along with
the Vale Play Forum. It was funded by the EYDCP (Early Years
Development and Childcare Partnership).
The day, which was blessed with sunshine, provided an excellent
opportunity for children and young people to play and for parents
and carers to develop skills, and to raise awareness and confidence
of working with the elements such as water, fire, earth and
air.
Participants enjoyed an endless array of activities and
opportunities including den building, toasting marshmallows,
rolling around in cardboard tubes, arts and crafts, a rope course
and a slide.
Vale AM Jane Hutt, the Welsh Assembly's Business Minister who
was actively involved with the organised activities, thought it was
"a fantastic idea to bring the Vale Play Forum to Porthkerry for
the start of spring."
Children of all ages and adults enjoyed playing outdoors and
experienced the sense of freedom of this unique environment. The
weather, different smells, textures and colours were just some of
the natural elements discovered.
Jo said: "Unfortunately, due to the increase in traffic, the
fear of predatory adults and the redevelopment of wild spaces for
housing, many children and young people are unable to experience
the great outdoors that many of us remember
"Playing outdoors in wild spaces, parks, gardens, streams, ponds
and grassy meadows enables children and young people to discover
and learn about the world around them, discover nature, explore,
run around and learn about the natural elements.
"In the Vale of Glamorgan we are lucky to have beautiful country
parks that lend themselves to a wealth of outdoor
opportunities."
Jo was thrilled with the response to the inaugural event and was
told by participants that it ranked with some of their best days
ever. Parents reported that their children had the "time of their
lives."
Look out for further announcements regarding similar play
schemes this summer. For more information on play in the Vale,
telephone Jo on (01446) 704809, email joajones@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk
or visit www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/playdevelopment.