CABE Space: Designing and Planning for Space

This article is all about designing playspaces. It talks about how that should be done, for what reasons it should be done a certain way, etc. etc. At the time this article was written (late 2008) the UK was beginning to get more money for upgrading and creating new playgrounds. Obviously CABE Space would be interested in voicing their opinion at such a significant time.
CABE Space (the author(s)) gives a couple examples of other places where there are "successful" playspaces. Some such spaces include more natural spaces--spaces where dirt, sand, etc. are accessible by children. Other successful spaces are ones that are not just mere formulaic "KFC" (kit, fence, and carpet) playgrounds. CABE Space also suggests that open play areas (i.e. non-easily recognizable play area) are good too. Similarly, they suggest that many play ground constructors are overly concerned with safety. CABE Space notes that Play expert Tim Gill "...believes that these countries are getting it right primarily because landscape architects enjoy a much closer involvement in the process. The starting point is a holistic look at the site, rather than at what pieces of equipment should be bought." CABE Space offers many ideas and thoughts about play, and they list 10 "specific" suggestions for practitioners to consider when constructing a play space. They sum their thoughts in what they call the "one golden rule": a successful play space is a place in its own right, specially designed for its location, in such a way as to provide as much play value as possible.