Leaps and Bounds’ vision for regenerating Britain's playing field sites and a discussion of the potential solutions.

One of the aims of Leaps and Bounds is to promote innovation in the community regeneration field. This Pioneers series of articles illustrates some of the most interesting ideas around and here, Leaps and Bounds Director, Henry Woodlock outlines his vision for regenerating Britain's playing field sites.

Playing fields are a part of the British culture. Everyone has a memory of their local park or recreation ground. Playing Fields are a vital resource whether in rural areas short on sports facilities or in urban areas starved of greenery and spaces for children to play safely. Yet if you travel up and down the country, you will not find signs that this resource is cherished by the nation.

If one playing field is not being dug up for housing, another is windswept and poorly maintained. One thing is consistent: many playing fields have little shelter, are badly lit, feel unsafe and have changing facilities that resemble little more than glorified sheds.

Observing places like these, Many of us feel ashamed. Ashamed that we expect our children to enjoy their recreation time in such surroundings. It is quite unacceptable and should be challenged.

The question which has occupied me for a long while is how best to breathe life into these spaces and return them to the community as assets; vibrant spaces that people enjoy. Looking at the problem more closely, it is clear why there is no obvious solution and why little is being done to address the problem.

Most playing fields are owned by Local Authorities struggling to fund the revenue costs of existing facilities and certainly not in a position to invest heavily in new facilties. On the other hand, playing fields are generally used by community sports clubs with little resources and time available to plan for the future. Most sports clubs I come across would love to improve facilities but simply do not have the time or money to do it.

So we find ourselves in a position where none of the stakeholders really have the opportunity to improve facilities.

To arrive at potential solutions, I have asked myself what would make things easier for both users (Sports Clubs) and owners (Local Authorities) to tackle the impasse. I have come up with three factors which together make a powerful combination that might swing the balance and allow us to give our playing fields the respect, care and attention they deserve.