Saturday 4 August 2012

Just give 'em space.


Here's something I'm sorry I missed - darn, I was doing something else that day and I was so upset. It's a mini-Olympics for the local kids. I have posted before about the large private gardens in the area where I live, and these gardens, or "greens" as we call them, are fantastic community resources.

Our area was developed as middle class housing in the 1880s, but instead of giving the houses long gardens, the developers gave them tiny back gardens and used the rest of the space for a communal space - traffic free and private to the residents. It is even more useful now that the vast majority of the houses have been divided into flats.



I don't know why more planners don't create these traffic free spaces in cities. IN the countryside there is usually a field or something where people can congregate - not so in towns or suburbs.

Our area is not the only one where there are these greens. I once visited one in Brighton which really reminded me of ours. The early nineteenth century was a good time for communal spaces - squares, "circuses" (round recreational areas) and so on. Perhaps the owner of the building firm who developed our area grew up on something similar.

Anyway the greens offer a big space for all kinds of things - parties, bonfires,

(before the Health and Safety rules put an end to those) or organised games and once even a landing space for an air ambulance! When they organised the last kids' Olympics, it was amazing to see how even the toughest and most anti social local teenage boys really got into it, training like mad and very proud when they won medals.

The Olympics is supposed to be about encouraging sport, but I wonder how many other British communities were even able to hold sporting events. It makes it so much easier if there is space, and when there is, people will generally get together to find something to do.

It's not all idyllic on public spaces, of course. People are people and some of them are a real pain. There are always issues about dogs, kids playing rowdy games or bullying other kids, noise, smoky BBQs, litter and so on. But at least it gets folks talking to each other, even if they are only complaining and arguing (as it sometimes seems at the time).

And the kids are definitely more active, since most of the time they would rather be outside with their friends and have lots of space to play in, than sit inside with their computer games on their own.

48 comments:

  1. Great idea in theory and kids need somewhere safe to play don't they? Not sure if that might all end in tears when the bees arrive!

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  2. Yes indeed the only problem with public space is the public!
    The idea is good however, if folks get along, and should be more used by architects. However builders need more houses per space and this doesn't fit.
    Looks good from here.

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  3. What a great idea! We have the common land here (there was even a swell of public disapproval when the golf club tried to take it over) but no one with the foresight to organise kids' Olympics.

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  4. It's very important to have traffic-free, public green spaces - - most especially in the cities where some children probably never get a chance to experience them. It would be wonderful if there was a magical way to keep annoying people out!

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  5. I live in the country but we do have some communal spaces very close by where firework shows and fetes occur. I'm just so damn anti-social that I never go to them, but I do think they are a good idea.

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  6. One of thethibgs about Having it in the garden, Joe, is that it's right there. Could be good or bad really. What we have is public-private - lots of people can use it but it is locked away behind the houses. It didn't work when it was totally open access.
    Adullamite, you are right that you need a certain amount of extra space than the utter minimum but in some of these greens the "garden" space for individual houses is like a patio or balcony.
    Think that Kevin McCloud's development utilised this idea... Wonder how it settled down since the programme.
    Yes Jo -, a lot depends on people beig willing, the vast majority don't organise anything though they do often come along which is just as necessary!
    Marigold Jam, I deleted the bit about the beehives 10 secs after posting as I thought it made the piece too long!. You must jhave seen it in that 10 secs. I will post about the bees after they arrive haha!

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  7. PS apologies for typos in the above - trying to use my phone to make comments isn't a good idea!

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  8. Most housing developments here are forced to have open spaces by the townships. I live across the street from one and it is just lovely. We all pay a small fee to keep it that way. Unfortunately it is seldom used. I have been here 10 years and have only seen kids playing ball there only a few times. There have been planned events there but few have attended. I find it so sad that today there is very little socialization between neighbors.

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  9. Fantastic neighbor plan. Green space is a must to be happy

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  10. We all need space...and if we can't have individual space then communal is the next best thing.

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  11. Hello Jenny:
    What a lovely idea for the children, and so imaginative too.

    We are most fortunate where we are in Brighton to have the use of the square gardens which are for the use of the residents in the square in which we live. We all contribute towards their upkeep, through Council Tax payments, so have all of the pleasure without any of the work.

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  12. I just discovered a fantastic place for children and adults to play and get lots of exercise, and this place besides having your own run of the place has an outdoor theater and other stages of performance art besides! I posted a short video of the place in my Six Word Saturday! This weekend, tomorrow in fact we can catch Mu Daiko Japanese Drumming and it's always for free! You just make your own donation...that way those that can't afford to come can and those who can afford to pay a bit more can! I love this world sometimes!

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  13. We don't have spaces like that here. We do have parks, but I have to get in my car and drive to it since they are that far away. However, my yard is big enough for what we want to do, and when there is enough snow, we close down the street in front of my house so that everyone can go sled ridding (it's a great hill and with it being paved makes for a faster sled).
    Oh and no problem with the name thing. There are times that I think that I should change it but like the 'uniqueness' of my on-line name.
    Bonnie

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  14. We live right across the street from an unfenced school playground, small woods, creek which the kids can follow for over a mile, and the neighborhood swimming pool. We are very blessed, my kids have grown up out there, running, playing, tree climbing, snake catching, biking, swimming, etc.

    The ideal world would see every child able to do this.

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  15. I Love this!!! I wish that we had Olympics for the kids! Even though someone would sue or complain just like in England.
    We have parks here no community "yard." I like it the English way better!

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  16. A large amount of my childhood was lived in Bognor and to the back of our garden (accessible by a gate) was( still is, I've checked) a massive rec(reational ground) surrounded on four sides by houses. It is complete with running track, long jump pit etc. and I spent many happy carefree hours here.

    The freedom of it allowed me to remain a child, for a child is what I was. Today many kids are kept inside as parents fear for their safety and there is this awful rush to 'grow up' which didn't exist for me...

    Anna :o]

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  17. This really is something that matters on an everyday basis to people at a local level. The private gardens and the gardens in places like the Inns of Court are such fabulous refuges in the heart of the city for those privileged to have access to them.

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  18. We don't have communal gardens here in Oregon (that I'm aware of) but we do have great park district trails for walks and hikes.

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  19. What a great idea - it seems like these spaces give people a chance to congregate and gather and get to know their neighbors. Too often, the only time people here see and wave at their neighbors is when they are leaving their garage in their car. This just doesn't build any community spirit.

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  20. Community greens and community gardens are a wonderful idea!

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  21. That sound very nice. Public and green space to share nicely...is a humanitarian benefit. Social vs. anti social training in community. We do not all have space of isolation around us. Sorry you missed it. I love you blog. M

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  22. I love the idea of the traffic free space... that's why I live in the country!

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  23. How great to enjoy a large communal space like that! Over here, any free space won't last long. Even designated green lungs can't escape the greedy hands of developers. Either that or the space gets taken over in favour of vehicles.

    Olympics for kids! Wow! What a great event.

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  24. Jenny here is a list of the Olympic Houses:
    viewlondon.com/2012/houses

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  25. think I gave wrong link it is here
    http://www.visitlondon.com/london2012/national-hospitality-houses-for-london-2012

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  26. Thanks for the comments. Arleen, I think that somehow people have to feel the land is something to do with them too, before they want to participate. There have to be a certain number of people involved, if it is too few then not enough of them will bother, you are right.
    Bonnie, I am so envious of the beautiful big yards so many Americans have. I often think that England must seem like Miniatureland to you guys. Mimi, your place sounds idyllic and I can't imagine a kid who wouldn't love that. Yes, Anna, you have hit the nail on the head. It does allow kids to be kids, and fill their mind with kid stuff not whatever adults create for them.
    GB, I do feel everyone should have a chance of something like this, although I know it's a hopeless dream.
    Lina, I think laws and regulations are necessary - otherwise this woudl have been sold off too. Our communal greens actually belong to the local Lord of the Manor, can you believe. He takes a great interest in how they are run, but is thankfully hands off except when he is asked to help. So much depends on who the Lord of the Manor is though.
    Sonya, I wish schools and youth centres would capitalise on stuff like Olympics to run sports days, with fun sports and parents sports too.

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  27. Large communal spaces are great and it is probably one thing I love about London: we have huge gardens. The Olympics are also inspiring a generation of children: my daughter now wants to start fencing!

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  28. Fantastic! And what great foresight the planners of your area must have had! Brilliant!

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  29. Nice idea for kids but did you see the youtube video of the folks at the old people's home doing their version of the olympics? It's brilliant!

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  30. Hello Jenny, Thanks for your comments during July!
    Dedicated space allocated to young is very important and it is a great initiative. Olympics? so impressed of seeing all these highly gifted athletes pushing their own limits!
    Saw the Tour de France as well with B. Wiggins and the other leaders, always a tremendous spectacle...i now feel bad i have not "properly excercised' for a few weeks :))
    Have a great Sunday

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  31. It looks like the GB team are doing such a great job. We had a quick look on the medal table and it's on the 3rd place now! Salute! :D

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  32. Yes, space is a blessing but it does create problems, as you say. What a nice event for the children, though.

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  33. Is your communal space like the gated gardens of the posher London areas? Or is there a means of public access?
    I can't imagine what it's like. In Kentish Town, where we lived, there was a small park enclosed by houses on different streets, but there entrances anyone could use.

    Safe places for kids to play and maybe the elderly to walk are essential in big cities and these places can foster a sense of community. I remember our little park was a bit of an eyesore at times, though, littered and fouled, and it needed a lot of goodwill and diplomacy to keep it viable.

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  34. I have often climbed a fence to get into one of these squares or enclosures as some are called down in Brighton and relaxed in the private glory and peace in the city.

    It is nice to see many are 'opening' up during the year to be more inclusive and accessible to more than just a few residents.

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  35. Love the outdoor spaces shown here; we (husband) and I live on a farm, so we have ample space, but I am glad to see that space is provided in city areas.
    I love the fact that our children (and grandchildren) can run and play and enjoy the outdoors. Nothing brings a smile to their faces quite like playing outside.
    Thank you for the visit to my blog. I look forward to seeing you from "across the pond" and love your visits!
    Hugs and smiles,
    Jackie

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  36. The suburban landscape where I live could use more green space and an accessible garden...All the parks are driving distance, unfortunately.

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  37. It is sad that these days all a developer can see when he acquires a plot of land is "how many houses can he squeeze onto it". Publicly accessible open spaces are precious, and if anything is worth a tax rebate, they are.

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  38. Interesting that this idea was developed in the 1880's. We don't have anything like that but we do have lots of parks and beaches nearby.

    Darla

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  39. What a wonderful idea. Unfortunately, city planners look at maximum financial gain, but often fail to see the big picture. There is not a more important resource than our children.

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  40. The general building/housing style in Sweden is a little different than Britain, I don't think I've seen many (if any) "closed in" greens like you describe. Where I live, a housing estate with low (3-4 stories) blocks of flats built in the 1940s, there are plenty of green areas/lawns between the buildings, and in the middle a park including a playground for the little ones and boules grounds mostly used by the elderly, and trees and benches and picnic tables and even a few gazebos. Also a large football field adjoined to one edge of the estate. Lots of open space. It was on the outskirts of town back when it was built but is within walking distance from the town centre.

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  41. I remember going to a wedding in the early 1980s and they had this same set up - houses all around a huge public area. The festivity and community of that day impressed me so much that I remembered it right through my time in South Africa and back again in London. I would love to live in such a place!

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  42. A great idea! Anything that gets children off their bottoms and away from some screen or other is to be welcomed. A bit of competitive spirit doesn't go amiss either.

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  43. Hi Jenny,
    Such a good idea and I wish such an event had taken place where I live. A bit of community spirit would be such a positive tonic. There are such few outside activities happening these days and kids, rather sadly, do find themselves spending a lot of hours gaming on the computer.
    Take care, Jenny.
    Gary

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  44. Kids need more space and time to play around safely, hopefully without supervisors. They need to go through any emotion, like feeling proud, happy, contented, sympathetic, sad, angry, ... for their healthy mental growth. If such occasion is less, organized events would be nice. At sportive events, someone who doesn’t do well at school can be a hero. Isn’t it nice? In my town, there are some parks and a big communal ground. During summer holidays, early bird kids congregate to do “radio calisthenics” before breakfast. Summer festival, fire drills, “gateball” competition for the elderly are also held there.

    By the way, I’ve wondered why Olympics are held in summer. Tokyo Olympics was held in October. But I’ve understood it’s not so hot in London. I heard it was 17 degrees C yesterday, while we are suffering 35 C.

    Yoko

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  45. Yes, Yoko, the weather here is rather pleasant for sports and games, so long as there isn't too much rain!

    Gary, I feel that not enough was done to spread the Olympic spirit throughout Britain, In a way it is up to local people to do things, themselves, but
    it takes organisation too and people outside London didn't seem somehow to feel involved.

    Emm, I wonder where you visited. I'd be really interested to know! If you are remembering the same place as Friko suggested (very posh homes in Notting Hill and Maida Vale) then that is NOT us.

    I can sympathise with climbing over walls Jason, this is why I think there should be more of these private gardens because they ARE nicer than public parks. But they also do take quite a lot of work to keep them peaceful and pleasant.They don't just stay nice by themselves.

    Our gardens didn't used to have gates, but hooligans started coming in and were quite scary.You can't let your kids out if there are drug users taking advantage of the privacy, or guys with Rottweilers and knives. We fixed locked gates. Actually, you need people to volunteer to keep things going. Our gardens are run by the residents but many other residents hate the garden rules or never clear up litter and let their kids run amok. At least you can tell the kids to stop it and be backed up rather than being on your own against some self centred parent who thinks their kid has a perfect right to destroy everyone else's flowers. Oh yes, it is never all sweetness and light where human beings are concerned!

    DawnTreader, it sounds very well done in Sweden, but then things like this always do seem to be well done! We could learn many lessons here. Alan, your idea of a tax rebate is brilliant.

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  46. As London has nearly as many inhabitants as the whole of Sweden, it's really impossible to make comparisons. I'm sure locked private gardens may be a great solution for the type of residential areas you describe. Here I'm not sure anything quite similar exists. The main point though I think is the same - that it's a good thing to have green areas in town, where children can play in relative saftey and close to their own home!

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  47. Entirely agree, Dawn Treader. They need it SO MUCH.

    But they have to be well designed when you get a great big mix of people, many of whom are not that nice. There are many playgrounds around tower blocks and in estates here but people don't use them becuase the vibe isn't right. Sweden always seems enviably cooperative and safe. By the way, have you ever read the book "Defensible Space" - that stopped the worst of the planning fiascos that made some housing estates almost no-go areas in cities.

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    1. Sadly, Jenny, we have our share of "not so nice" people in Sweden too, and I'm sure we also have our own share of playgrounds that are perhaps avoided by those who'd need them most. I know I avoided places already back in my own childhood - and still do, for that matter. Especially after dark!

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