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Adventure playgrounds host community tournament
Three adventure playgrounds in Bristol came together on Thursday to host a friendly football tournament.
Teams from the Vench adventure playground in Lockleaze, Felix Road adventure playground in Easton and the Ranch adventure playground in Southmead joined forces for a day of community celebration through play.
“The Adventurers Cup” provided a whole day of free food, sports, crafts, and activities for local families, completely open access, at the Lockleaze playground.
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The Vench in Lockleaze hosted families for the Adventurers Cup on Thursday
Senior youth and play worker Diana Sabogal said: “It’s the first time we’ve done an event like this.
“It’s really special to see everyone come together like this. And to be able to provide this for the kids is so great.”
Adventure playgrounds grew on the ethos of children leading and being agents of their own space, a concept that expanded throughout the UK in the late 60s.
“We try and keep that mentality going today,” said Diana.
“While we do have a team that runs the site now, everyone here works together to look after the space and the resources.”
Along with the play spaces, the Vench playground and its partners supply free food and safe spaces for children, encouraging them to engage in social and educational activities that they wouldn’t otherwise be able to enjoy.
Children at the playground are given a free meal from the site’s kitchen
“It’s so common now for these sorts of things to cost money, which can make them quite exclusive”, said Diana, “so we really want to give these guys as much as possible for free.”
The communities at the Vench, Felix Road and the Ranch playgrounds have been present, and constantly growing, for 53 years.
“It’s got a real continuity to it”, said The Vench Youth and Play worker Heather May.
“People are here who played here as children, and they’re now bringing their children or their grandchildren. Even some of the team used to come and play here and are now part of the paid staff.”
The competition heated up for the teams at Thursday’s football tournament
While many children were enthralled by the football, others could take part in activities ranging from BMX to papercrafting.
“When I was growing up,” said one of the parents from the Felix Road playground, “they didn’t do things like this, so it’s great to see them doing it.
“Nowadays everyone’s so, you know, on their screens, and it’s great to get the kids out doing stuff. Hopefully it’ll slingshot them towards doing more.”
The team at the Vench hope that this event will be the first of many for the playgrounds and that they can keep strengthening their communities.
All photos: Susie Long
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