By Don Mort, local democracy reporter
Children’s play facilities are set to be improved after the council launched a review of parks and green spaces.
Leeds City Council is planning to make parks more child-friendly as part of its Playful Green Spaces Plan.
The project will look at improving young people’s health by providing more and safer spaces to play in.
A report to the council’s Environment, Housing and Communities scrutiny board said the city had more than 4,000 hectares of green spaces and seven major parks.
It said: “There are however, many examples of playful spaces that do not include fixed playground equipment in parks.
“For example, den building in woodlands, mazes through long grass, stepping stones, dry river beds or rain channels.”
A scrutiny board meeting on Wednesday was told Leeds compared well to other towns and cities for the amount of green space.
Coun Mohammed Rafique, Labour executive member for environment, said: “This council strives for Leeds to be a place children are valued, supported and look forward to a bright future.”
The report said that in parts of the city, around 27 per cent of the population was aged between 0-14.
It said: “Therefore it is imperative that we are meeting the play needs of children in our green spaces.”
Focus groups would be launched as part of the project to consult parents and young people on their play needs, the report said.
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