COMMUNITY BACKYARD
A community backyard is a public space where children and their families can come to access a shared area to play and connect. In Community Backyards, children can play with their friends in a space supervised by qualified adults. This pace is also a play conservation area, and the Playworkers present work hard to preserve and protect play.
THE PHILOSOPHY
“3 Frees”
1. Free to choose to participate (children come voluntarily)
2. Free (no cost) to attend
3. Free to do as you please (you can choose what activity you want to do
Children and adults report that outcomes of a community backyard include, increasing social skills, creating a sense of community, connecting to place, space and people, improving mental health, being a safe space for children, motor skill developments and opportunity to play outdoors.
The Australian Institute of Play has supported the creation of Queensland’s first Community Backyard in Eagleby. Watch the video below to hear from the Principal from Eagleby South State School. To learn more about this Community Backyard model in practice, head to the Joomunjie Land page here! Queensland’s second Community Backyard has launched in Yarrabilba, and after extensive community consultation, the children have called it "Freedom Fortress".
If you are interested in creating your own community backyard, contact us for more information!
hello@australianinstituteofplay.org
WANT HELP SETTING UP YOUR OWN?