Hull City Council is seeking the views of residents to understand the community need and requirements for PlayZones in the city.
The PlayZone Programme is a new, exciting investment programme aimed at tackling inequalities in physical activity and access to facilities by funding community-led spaces.
Its aim is to focus on communities with the greatest need and will deliver new or refurbished safe and accessible mini pitches that will allow priority groups to be more active.
Primarily funded by the Football Foundation, PlayZones are high quality facilities offering space for recreational physical activity across sports such as football, netball, rugby, cricket, hockey or basketball.
PlayZones do not have to involve football as one of the key sports within their design.
Whilst football will likely be the most popular choice at certain sites, there is a commitment for community engagement and interests to guide the process with opportunity to bring forward non-football PlayZones where applicable.
The Football Foundation has identified four groups facing the greatest inequalities in physical activity as part of this national programme which Hull is looking to benefit from.
These are:
• Lower socio-economic groups
• Women and girls
• Disabled people and people with long-term health conditions
• Ethnically diverse communities
Numerous locations within Hull have been earmarked as priorities in line with the criteria set by the Football Foundation and data available to the council.
The consultation will help to identify the best locations meeting community need across the city.
PlayZones were part of the Parks and Open Spaces report that went to Hull City Council’s Cabinet on 28 November 2022 and now, the council wants to hear the views of residents.
Councillor Julia Conner, portfolio holder for parks and open spaces, said: “We would like to speak to a wide range of people in Hull and particularly anyone that would consider themselves as being in one of the above groups.
“We would love to have enough feedback to influence the programme in the future and ensure that any new or refurbished facility reflects what is needed in our communities.
“We need to understand how many PlayZones might be required across the city, how people want to use them and for what activity, as well as which barriers they are experiencing.”
Face to face conversations are a key part in this process and community engagement will take place over the coming weeks, with dates and locations to be confirmed.
For now, you can provide your feedback on the council’s Peoples Panel here until Monday 27 February.
More information on the PlayZones Programme can be found here.
