Playday in Carrickfergus
03 August 2011
Residents of Windmill and Minorca Drive in Carrickfergus had a great time at Playday 2011. Playday is the national day for play, traditionally held on the first Wednesday in August. Playday 2011 was on 3rd August with an event in Windmill Play Area, Carrickfergus taking place from 11am to 1pm.
Stephen Daye, Parks & Countryside Development Officer said "This is an excellent opportunity to enjoy the new £50,000 extension at Windmill Play Park. Amid the flurry of activity, we have face painting, balloon modeling and games. This family-friendly fun free event is designed to promote the importance of outdoor play for young children and encourage adults to get involved too."
"Play is such an important part of any child's development and Playday provides a fantastic opportunity to celebrate it and promote its many benefits. It also highlights the benefits of imaginative play to parents and communities".
"Outdoor play is vital for any child, providing stimuli to learn and the health benefits of being in the open air. The range of play opportunities on offer in Carrickfergus Borough is extensive and gives parents and carers some great opportunities to get outdoors with their youngsters".
"Getting outside to play is healthy. It’s part of a healthy lifestyle. Play reduces stress and helps fight the obesity epidemic in our society today. So many good things come from good play."
"Windmill Play Park which opened last month was funded from the EU PEACE III Programme, which is managed by the Special EU programmes body and delivered by the Carrickfergus, Antrim & Newtownabbey (CAN) PEACE III Partnership." end Mr. Daye
To celebrate Playday, children, young people and communities get out and play at hundreds of community events across the UK. As well as a celebration, Playday is an opportunity to campaign on issues affecting children's play.
This year, we're calling on everyone to celebrate Playday 2011 and show why play is fundamental to children's enjoyment of childhood, and vital to their health, well-being and development. In light of government cuts to play services across the country, it is more crucial than ever that we unite to stand up for play.
Cole Carson, Tina Seeley, Kori & Ollie McCaffery enjoying Playday 2011 at Windmill Play Park.
Nina Morrison with a face painter at Windmill Play Park in Carrickfergus.
Local residents enjoy Playday 2011 in Windmill Play Park in Carrickfergus.
Playday Drawing Consultation
Take part in the Playday 2011 drawing consultation and tell us about your outdoor play adventures - you could even win a digital camera!
Whether collages, drawing, using your computer, writing or taking photographs is your thing, tell us what it's like to play where you live and help us build a picture of play across the UK.
You don't have to be an expert artist or skilled photographer. Everyone who sends us a picture will be entered into our free draw to have an equal chance of winning a digital camera. You might also have your work published.
We're running this drawing consultation to gather the views of children from across the UK, as part of the Playday 2011 campaign. Images should show what it's like to play where you live, you might like to think about the following questions:
- What do you do and where do you go when you play outside?
- Do you play outdoors on your own or with other people?
- Do you play outdoors often? If not, why not?
Drawing consultation template: You may wish to use the consultation template for your picture, but you can send us your entries in whichever way you like. Drawing consultation template
Related Page
For further information please contact:
Stephen Daye, Parks & Countryside Development Officer
Telephone: 028 93358000
E-Mail: play@carrickfergus.org
