Come along to this online information session to find out how the Playing Out scheme works in St Albans District and how you can close your own residential street for play and community building up to 8 times a year.
Please note - the 8pm Playing Out event on 6th March will be preceded by a 7pm event about how to organise a street party. Find details and book via our Meet Your Neighbours collection.
Format
The event will be in the format of an online Zoom presentation by one of the Playing Out St Albans District team followed by a chance for you to ask questions about the scheme and explore how it could work on your street.
If you prefer an in-person event, please come along to one of the events in our Meet Your Neighbours Collection marked IN PERSON.
ABOUT PLAYING OUT.
Would you like to see your kids playing outside your own house? Would you like to meet neighbours and build support networks in your community?
Playing Out St Albans District (a Sustainable St Albans project) is delighted to be working with St Albans District Council to manage the Playing Out scheme in the St Albans District.
Playing Out is a nation-wide concept where residents choose to apply to close their road to through traffic to allow the children to come out onto the street and cycle, scoot and play together in the road. It is a fabulous way to build communities, offering neighbours a chance to meet and chat while children get the opportunity to get fresh air and exercise, as well as learn to play in an unstructured manner with other children of all ages.
Road closures for Playing Out purposes have what they call a “permeable barrier”. Closure points are stewarded by volunteer residents in high viz jackets. Their job is to escort any resident vehicles into the closed area if they need access to minimise neighbour inconvenience. All through traffic is diverted. So if you live in the closed area and you need to go out or come in with your car, you absolutely can.
In St Albans District, you may close your road in this way up to 8 times a year for 3 hours each time. There is no charge to residents.
See our website at www.sustainablestalbans.org/playingout for more information.
What is the difference between Playing Out and a Street Party?
A street party is a street gathering where the focus is on a party with food, music, entertainment, bunting, etc.
In Hertfordshire only one is allowed per street per year so if you want to organise multiple street gatherings, or one more but have already held your street party this year, you need to apply via the Playing Out scheme and these information sessions will tell you how.
Playing Out sessions are also street gatherings but lower key and shorter. They can be up to 3 hours long and road closure points must be stewarded by volunteer residents so that cars needing access to closed section of street can be escorted in. The focus is on multiple opportunities for free play for children and neighbourly chat. Rules include no structures on the highway. No organised entertainment is necessary although tea & cake is very much encouraged.
When can I play out?
Applications are sent to the council in one of four application rounds each year.
If you come to the January information session you will be aiming for an application deadline of 9th February 2024 which will allow you to hold Playing Out sessions from 23td March 2024 onwards.
If you come to the March information session you will be aiming for an application deadline of 22nd March 2024 which will allow you to hold Playing Out sessions from 4th May 2023 onwards.
If you come to the April information session you will be aiming for an application deadline of 17th May 2024 which will allow you to hold Playing Out sessions from 29th June 2024 onwards.
If you come to the June information session you will be aiming for an application deadline of 12th July 2024 which will allow you to hold Playing Out sessions from 31st August onwards.
FAQs
1. Who can attend these information sessions?
Residents from the City and District of St Albans can attend the sessions (including residents of Harpenden, Wheathampstead, Redbourn, London Colney and Sandridge). Suitable streets to close for Playing Out are non-bus routes in St Albans District.
2. What should I bring to the information session?
No need to bring anything, though you may wish to have had a look at our website at www.sustainablestalbans.org/playing-out before you come.
You may wish to talk to your neighbours to see if someone would be interested in setting up a scheme in your road with you and might fancy coming along too.
3. I can no longer attend the session. How can I contact the organiser with any questions?
Places at the sessions are limited so please email playingout@sustainablestalbans.org to let us know. We will then be able to offer your place to someone else.
4. What is Sustainable St Albans
Sustainable St Albans is a charity (no 1173118), run by volunteers, which encourages people to do local, practical things to live more sustainably. Playing Out St Albans District is one of the charity's projects.
5. Will my personal data be retained?
When you sign up, you will be invited to join our mailing list for Playing Out St Albans District. You can ask us to delete your contact details at any point by sending an email to playingout@sustainablestalbans.org. You can view our Privacy Policy on our website.
6. Any other queries?
You can contact Nicola, the Playing Out project co-ordinator, at playingout@sustainablestalbans.org.
