THE recently opened Coronation Park extension has set the blueprint for the creation of new outdoor play spaces for children and young people, a senior politician has said.
Coronation Park’s extension was opened last week by Infrastructure Minister Jonathan Renouf, after a four-year consultation, planning and construction period.
The £280,000 project began when an anonymous donor gifted the land to the west of the park in 2022. A consultation on how best to utilise the space received more than 600 responses, while over 1,000 ideas submitted by children and young people informed the design of the area.
Assistant Children’s Minister Malcolm Ferey, who has responsibility for the government’s play strategy, said there has been “a lot of learning” during the process, which can be used to develop other spaces.
He said: “I think we know what the Island needs. We know what our children and young people want. So, while it’s always good to include them in any of that thinking, I think that is a really good model that we can replicate in other parts of the Island.”
The government’s Play Plan was published last year and set out proposals to promote accessible play in Jersey.
Deputy Ferey said that play had not been as high up on the list of government priorities for a “decade or so” as it could have been as “habits changed” and children spent more time inside.
However, he said play has became increasingly recognised an important facet of a child’s development, adding: “Play teaches children and young people in particular how to socialise, how to interact with others and how to work as a team.”
Deputy Ferey said that the “biggest obstacle” in creating new spaces would be funding. But, the use of sustainable materials, the experience gained from Coronation Park, and examples like the St Martin play space – which he called a “beacon of light” – show they can be created inexpensively.
He added that for “relatively small sums of money”, play areas can be created provided there is available space.
“Let’s make them accessible, let’s make them open, and let’s allow everyone to enjoy them,” Deputy Ferey said.
