Islington Executive members reviewed a report on play spaces and services across the borough during their meeting on Thursday, June 25, 2026. The report, originating from the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee, highlighted the importance of play for children's development, wellbeing, and community cohesion. The committee had undertaken a review to understand how Islington could enhance its play offer, recognizing the strong culture of play and heritage of adventure playgrounds in the borough.
Key recommendations from the committee included encouraging doorstep play, utilizing existing infrastructure for play, and ensuring inclusive play opportunities for children with special educational needs and disabilities. The report mentions the utilization of existing infrastructure on our estates and on our streets
for play spaces, with Councillor Sheila Chapman noting, the idea that we should be working with planning to use existing infrastructure on our estates and on our streets so that even if you're doing a piece of public art, it can prompt play and inquiry.
The consideration of estate-based play upgrades
as part of the Thriving Neighbourhoods programme was also highlighted.
The report also emphasized the need to consider the specific needs of girls' play, moving beyond traditional sports facilities to create spaces where teenage girls can socialize and engage outdoors. The report specifically states the need to keep the idea of girls' play at the forefront so it's not only football pitches which are very important, it's places for teenage girls to sit and to be outside and in the fresh air.
This aligns with testimony from Make Space for Girls, which highlights that teenage girls often feel excluded from parks, play areas, and multi-use games spaces
and that designing with their voices at the centre through co-design, consultation, and representation ensures that our public spaces reflect the needs and confidence of all young people.
Councillor Sheila Chapman, Executive Member for Children, Young People and Families, presented the report, expressing enthusiasm for working with officers and the community on implementing the recommendations. She noted the potential for public art to prompt play and inquiry, and the importance of ensuring spaces are inclusive for all children. The report states that the committee's recommendations point towards being always cognisant of the need for inclusive play for children, young people with special educational needs and disabilities.
Furthermore, testimony from the Play Needs Assessment highlights that Inclusive play environments promote friendships, social cohesion, and challenge discrimination
and that Adventure playgrounds are especially valued for freedom, creativity, and inclusivity.
The Executive agreed to note the report and its recommendations, signaling a commitment to further develop and implement strategies that promote play across Islington. The report mentions that the Executive's response to the report and recommendations will be submitted to a future Executive meeting.
The Committee's report itself includes timelines for the implementation of its recommendations, with a provisional date for the Executive response set for September 2026. The full report and associated documents can be found in the public reports pack for the meeting: Public reports pack 25th-Jun-2026 17.00 Executive.
