Limavady Accessible Play Park

• Inclusive play areas have been shown to be more fun: Due to the more creative approach applied to the design of accessible and inclusive play equipment they often offer a greater level of variety, higher level of play value and are more engaging for children and young people in the longer-term;
• Inclusive play areas support inclusive communities: Accessible play areas do not segregate children based on ability; rather they encourage children of all abilities to come together through play, supporting the development of mutual understanding, friendships and a sense of community; and
• Inclusive play areas encourage creativity: Inclusive and accessible play areas encourage children to play creatively as they include elements that engage with a wider range of senses and involve equipment that can be used in different ways by different users. 

  
Whilst dedicated accessible play provision has been developed at the Flowerfield site in Portstewart and inclusive play features have been incorporated into a number of play areas across the Borough, children with disabilities still face significant barriers in accessing play opportunities.  

The objectives of the project as per the approved OBC are as follows:

• To develop a fully accessible play park that achieves the highest standard of ‘Play Value’ as independently audited by Playboard NI (play value of 600-800) and meets the standard set by Flowerfield Diversity Park (play value of 675);
• To actively promote general usage of play park and achieve a target of 75,000 users per year and ensure that target groups, including children with special educational needs, utilise the facility on a regular basis;
• As a result of the above to record and improve participation and satisfaction levels through an annual user survey, therefore maximising the health and wellbeing benefits of play and physical activity within the local community; and
• To ensure that the capital project is well managed and delivered on time, to budget and high quality standards.

Other policies etc. which have a bearing on this function, service, policy, procedure, project, strategy, plan or guidance?

The OBC for the demonstrates the contribution of the project to the following Strategies:

• United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child;
• Draft NI Programme for Government;
• NI Children and Young Peoples Strategy (2017 to 2027);
• DHSSPS Fitter Future for All Framework (2012 – 2022);
• Making Life Better (2013 – 2023);
• Strategic Planning Policy Statement;
• Community Planning;
• Council’s Corporate Strategy (2015 to 2019); and
• Council’s Play Strategy (2020-25);
• DfC’s Access and Inclusion Programme.

Studies, Publications, Statistics and Guidance:

• Northern Ireland Statistics & Research Agency – Census 2011;
• NINIS, Census 2001; and
• Northern Ireland Multiple Deprivation Measure 2017.
   

• Quantitative evidence has been sourced via the NI Census in 2011, the Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey 2018.
• Qualitative evidence has been gathered through sustained consultation prior to the development of the OBC including:
  • Engagement with the Elected Members;
  • Playboard NI consultation facilitated through surveys, workshops and public information session with young people, parents/carers and the wider public; 
  • Consultation with appropriate statutory sector representatives;
  • Consultation with internal stakeholders who will be impacted by any investment decisions on the Roe Mill Playing Fields site (e.g. grounds maintenance and operations); and
  • Consultation with external stakeholders including local schools e.g. Mae Murray Foundation and Rossmar Special School, Limavady.

• Mid-year 2018 NISRA statistics detailed the usual resident population of Causeway Coast & Glens Local Government District to be 144, 246, accounting for 7.7 % of the N.I. total.  Statistical information with regards to the Districts makeup and individuals therein was also reviewed;
• Council’s Equality Action plan and Disability Action Plan, specifically sport and wellbeing actions to:
  • Support persons with a disability to attend and fully engage in Council events and programmes.
  • Improve accessibility for individuals with a disability to participate in physical activity and improve well-being - by supporting individuals with a disability to access specialist equipment and facilitate exercise.
  • Improve social inclusion and leisure information for people with disabilities.
• The Council does not currently hold Section 75 monitoring data for historical existing users of the Roe Mill facilities; 
• The consultation process with stakeholders has also identified particular needs of different user groups across the various components of the site as follows:
  • Play Park – the Play Strategy (which was subjected to full EQIA) has guided the projects development to take account of the particular needs accessible and fully inclusive play for all children;
  • Changing Places facility and parking – particular needs of people with highly complex needs;
  • Pitches and Changing – whilst no improvement works are planned, the impact on existing users has been considered, including pitch users and a legacy License Agreement with a local Pigeon Racing Club.
• All of the above needs of different user groups have to be weighed up to achieve a balance in terms of accessibility, safety, visibility and clarity of use across the site.

The 2011 Census outlined:

In terms of religion or religion brought up in the 2011 Census indicates that our resident’s religious beliefs are comparable to those in Northern Ireland in that there are 2 predominant groupings i.e. Roman Catholic and Protestant.  However we also have a number of individuals (5.64%) who do not practice a specific religion or who do not wish to be grouped into a specific religion.  In addition we have a small number of individuals who practice other religions.

The Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey (2018) provides the following information on the political parties people in Northern Ireland feel closest to (this information is not available at Council area level) *:

The naming, branding and signage for the new project will remain neutral to support the fact that the project is fully inclusive and accessible to all members of the community.

On Census Day 27th March 2011 the resident population was:

The signage proposed will use plain English and pictorial formats in-line with industry best practice to support the wide range and backgrounds of visitors expected.

Age: (Mid Year 2018)   (NISRA statistics)

The site has been designed to provide a facility for all age ranges and all abilities (‘Accessible Area for Play’).  The play area will be used by children up to early teens and parents/carers with young families.  

Marital Status: 
Marital status by former legacy Council area (most recent figures available from Census 2011):

The extensive consultation conducted to date has included people of various marital statuses and no issues or concerns were raised.  The park will be open to all regardless of their marital status.

There are no specific figures available on how many people may be Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual or Trans-gender or Trans-sexual (LGBT) specific to the Council area. 

The Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey (2018) provides the following information on the sexual orientation of people in Northern Ireland (this information is not available at local government level):

In addition the NI Rainbow Project estimates between 6-10% of any given population could be considered as LGBT. 

The extensive consultation conducted to date has included people of various sexual orientations and no issues or concerns were raised.  The park will be open to all regardless of their sexual orientation and it has bearing on access to the service.

Gender:  (Mid Year 2018 Population Estimates)* 

The Changing Places facility will provide a gender neutral toilet. The inclusion of a drop down changing facility in the Changing Places facility will offer changing for young children and accommodate breast feeding mothers.

The Census information in 2011 showed:
People With or Without Dependents:

The play park will benefit people with younger dependents who will be able to play free of charge and thereby promote social interaction and interaction with other children with multiple identities (from the 15,597 households in the Borough).  

People with a Disability/People Without:

The pie chart below summarises figures from the DHSS. This relates to “Children in Need”, which is defined as a child that is unlikely to achieve or maintain, or have the opportunity of achieving or maintaining a reasonable standard of health or development without the provision of services by an authority. (5,126 children within the Northern Trust).

 
The data below has been extracted from NI Statistical Research Agency showing the percentage of disabilities of children within NI. Note, c.1000 children have a confirmed Statement of Educational Need (SEN) within the Borough.

The proposed play equipment and individual spefications have been selected to ensure a representative spread across the eight main sensory needs. This meets the needs researched from statistical analysis, consultation and inclusiveness participation requirements. This is represented in the graph below.
   

The equipment schedule and specifications matching the required sensory allocation above is included as Appendix I.

(ii) Changing Places

The existing pavilion will be DDA compliant and include a designated ‘Changing Places’ facility to accommodate the needs of people with profound and multiple learning disabilities, as well people with other physical disabilities such as spinal injuries, muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis often need extra equipment and space to allow them to use the toilets safely and comfortably.  This element will be funded by DfC Access and Inclusion Fund and greatly enhance the play offering on the site.

(iii) Parking and General Access

Accessible parking will be provided adjacent to the pavilion in line with regulations.  Viewing/seating areas will suitable for all users and have accessible access to them. Assistance dogs be welcomed in all areas.

The facility will be promoted in many accessible formats including a video of the facility when ready to open to support individuals with autism as they would understand what to expect and how the different areas will operate.

In summary, this project will have a positive impact on people with a disability who traditionally are faced with many barriers to participating in play and leisure.  This impact will be improved through ongoing and targeted consultation during detailed design.

Neutral impact as noted above.

As noted above disabled persons face barriers to participating in play and leisure activity.  This has been proactively addressed throughout this project being fully accessible and inclusive. Targeted ongoing consultation prior to final design.

The play park will have a positive impact on young people offering accessible play provision and high play value for all children.

Positive impact on households with young children.

Generally speaking people can fall into more than one Section 75 category.  Taking this into consideration, are there any potential impacts of the function, service, policy, procedure, project, strategy, plan or guidance on people with multiple identities?  (For example:  disabled minority ethnic people, disabled women, young Protestant men, young lesbians, gay and bisexual people.)

The consultation process has supported input and feedback from individuals with multiple identities and that interaction with individuals with multiple identities to date has not raised any additional concerns, although this will be considered as part of the review process detailed in the monitoring section.

Screening Decision
Likely Impact
          ☐        Major                    ☒     Minor                     ☐     None

If the decision is to subject the policy to an equality impact assessment (i.e. likely impact – Major), please provide details of the reasons for this:
N/A

If the decision is not to conduct an equality impact assessment (i.e. likely impact = Minor) the Council should consider if the policy should be mitigated or an alternative policy be introduced: 
Whilst a full EQIA is not required for this project, the final design should be subjected to further targeted consultation with key disability user groups, including Mae Murray Foundation and Rossmar Special School, Limavady.  

If the decision is not to conduct an equality impact assessment (i.e. likely impact = None), please provide details of the reasons for this:

N/A

If YES, give the reasons to support your decision, together with the proposed changes/amendments or alternative policy:

As noted throughout this form, Council has been proactive and adapted design plans to incorporate feedback from consultees in line with best practice and current regulations to promote inclusion and target underrepresented groups.  The key points to take account of in the final design include:

• Site entrance and DDA compliant accessibility down to the park for pedestrians, including wheelchair users and pushchairs and alternate access points;
• Adequate parking for blue badge holders and drop-off bay for coaches/mini-buses;
• Site security including 2.4m site perimeter fencing and 1.2m fencing to accessible play park;
• Equipment specifications to reflect detailed feedback and inclusion of Wheelchair Swing;
• Landscaping and artificial surfaces to be reviewed to maximise sensory experience.