Doncaster Council

Playgrounds

The National Playing Fields Association Standards have 3 categories of equipped play areas. These are local areas for play (LAP), local equipped area for play (LEAP) and neighbourhood equipped area for play (NEAP). The main characteristics of each category are:

LAP - Local Area for Play

• For Young Children (4 - 6 years old)
• Small Toys
• Grass or Hard Surface
• Minimum site size is 0.1 acres
• Seating for carers
• Needs activity zone and buffer zone               

LEAP - Local Equipped Area for Play

• Mainly for children 4 - 8 years old
• Contain at least 5 pieces of equipment
• Minimum site size is 0.9 acres
• Equipment & Surfacing to comply with British Standards
• Grass and/or hard surfaced playing space
• Within 5 minutes walking time of home
• Needs activity zone and buffer zone
• Seating for accompanying adults               

NEAP - Neighbourhood Equipped area for play

• Equipped mainly for children 8 - 14 years old
• Contain at least 8 pieces of equipment
• Minimum site size is 2.0 acres
• Equipment surfacing to comply with British Standards
• Opportunities for younger children
• Contain kickabout area/wheeled play opportunities
• Seating for adults/teenager meeting place
• Landscaped
• Within 15 minutes walking time of home
• Needs activity zone and buffer zone               

In total 127 equipped play areas were identified in the Borough, including 39 LAPS, 39 LEAPS and 49 NEAPS. Publicly accessible childrens playgrounds in Doncaster are listed on the Playground Areas page below.

More Information on Informal Open Spaces, Childrens Playgrounds and the results of the public consultation can be found in The Greenspace Strategy for Doncaster (see related documents in left hand menu).