Stockport's streets awarded top UK 'Child-Friendly Place' title

A project that brought ‘child’s play’ into the heart of Edgeley has won a national award.

‘On The Way Play SK’, a collaboration between Stockport Council, Civic and Social, Timberplay and children from Edgeley aimed to create child-friendly places, encourage active travel, and build social connections. The resulting schemes - A Child’s Eye View and Portable Playtime – have been in place in Edgeley since March 2024.

The project, based around Castle Street saw play equipment installed on the high street that featured giant snails, bears and tic tac toe for children and adults to interact with. It also worked alongside local children to co-design playful routes and highly visible prompts across the whole of Edgeley.

The partnership celebrated last week when its hard work saw it pick up a top accolade at the prestigious Pineapples awards, for ‘child-friendly place’ - recognising the project nationally as a scheme that “was able to empower children through engagement who could quickly see their contribution realised in the town centre, giving them ownership, agency and visibility in a space not typically associated with child’s play.”

It was also the first time the category was announced at The Pineapples and battled tough competition from larger schemes elsewhere in the UK.

More than 1,000 residents from 19 community organisations and schools, 15 businesses, plus 12 public events were part of developing the project, with pupils from Lark Hill and Our Lady’s Primary schools instrumental in bringing it to life through their ideas and local insights

“We introduced colourful and playful prompts, positioned at children’s eye level, around walking and wheeling routes in Edgeley, which then led down to Stockport’s fantastic new Viaduct Park and Interchange,” Pauline said.

“These prompts brought out the child in all of us and continue to encourage children and adults, to be playful, to hop, skip, jump or dance, and take notice of their surroundings as they walk or wheel around our borough.

“The fact that both the play equipment and prompts have been so well received by the community is encouraging for the promise of more playful places in Stockport that can ultimately benefit us all.”

Cllr Mark Roberts, deputy leader at Stockport Council and Cabinet Member for Climate and Environment, said: “We’re so proud that this brilliant project in Edgeley has been recognised on the national stage.

“It’s a perfect example of how playful, people-centred places can change how we feel about where we live.

“This project is a great example of community-led action supported by the council. We’re delighted to have been a lead partner in making it happen. Our Climate Action Now team drew on fantastic teamwork from across the council – with officers from our Highways and Transport, the District Centre Manager and Thriving Neighbourhoods teams, as well as TLC operatives all helping to bring the project to life.”

The partnership work continues to deliver for the community, with the project leads helping to form ‘What If?’- A new space based in a disused Victorian school opposite Hollywood Park. becoming a community-hub for growing social and climate resilience, helping the community come together to have a brew, watch a film and enjoy the garden area.

More details about the project can be found at 'On the Way Play'