Playing Out

Welcome to the page of Playing Out St Albans District, a project of the environmental charity, Sustainable St Albans.

Important announcement

For all residents and street organisers on Playing Out streets in St Albans district:   due to COVID-19, all sessions must be put on hold.  

For general information and inspiration about play and the Playing Out movement during the COVID-19 Crisis – please visit the continually updated COVID-19 pages on the national Playing Out website.

You can still plan your Playing Out scheme

We have plenty of material on our pages here to inspire you to put in the groundwork for your street’s Playing Out scheme now. Read on below for all about how to close your road to through traffic to let the children play out and the adults get to know each other. We really hope to be able to restart the application system very soon.

Festive Streets

In the meantime, we are delighted to launch a new project from the Playing Out St Albans District team called Festive Streets. We are encouraging residents in streets across the district to celebrate the winter festive season by co-ordinating with neighbours to decorate the windows in their street. Click here to be taken to our Festive Streets page.

Playing Out St Albans District Project

Please note that Playing Out schemes are not currently possible in St Albans District due to Covid19.  However, please read through these pages as there is lots you can do to get ready for Playing Out in the future!

What is Playing Out?

  • Kids playing in the street
  • No cars to worry about
  • Adults mingling and meeting
  • Building communities
Road Closed – courtesy of Playing Out Bristol
Everyone out to play – Playing Out St Albans District

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 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 build support networks and children the opportunity to get fresh air and exercise, as well as learn to play in an unstructured manner with other children of all ages.

Residents of all ages benefit especially children, parents and isolated older people as everyone truly gets to know their neighbours.

Watch our short video – it’s less than 2 mins long…..

Playing Out St Albans District – An introduction. With thanks to Mark Percival

About Playing Out St Albans District

Please find below:

Frequently asked questions

Can I organise Playing Out / Play Streets sessions on my road in St Albans, Harpenden and the villages?

Provided your road is not a bus route, you are eligible to apply.

You must live in the St Albans District Area – that is you must be in St Albans, Harpenden, Wheathampstead, Redbourn, London Colney or Sandridge, ie your local District Council must be St Albans City and District Council. Not sure? Use this link to find your local council – it should say Hertfordshire County Council and St Albans City & District Council. 

You must consult the other residents on your street – including holding a street meeting – so please give yourself plenty of time to do that before the application deadline.

How often can we play out?

In St Albans District, you may apply to close your road for Playing Out up to 8 times a year for 3 hours each time during daylight hours. You can also have an additional closure for a street party – see Street Party information below.

How much does it cost?

There is no charge to residents to apply for Playing Out. In addition, Playing Out St Albans District aims to be able to lend (without charge) all streets the essential kit to enable them to play out. 

How does the road closure work?

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.

I have more questions!

Click here for our  PDF of Frequently Asked Questions.

We can help you with everything you need to do. If you have any further questions, just contact the Playing Out St Albans District team.

3 footballers – Playing Out thanks Nicola Calleja for use of this photo

Sign up to our mailing list

To hear all the latest news about the Playing Out project and street party news, including deadlines for applications and information session dates, please sign up to our newsletter.

Click here to sign up to the Playing Out St Albans District and Our Street Party newsletter

Get started with Playing Out on your street….

Click here for Playing Out Latest News – includes events and deadline dates

Click here for the Playing Out St Albans District How-To page – everything you need to know to start your St Albans District street Playing Out.

Click here to sign up to the Playing Out St Albans District mailing list – to hear the latest straight to your inbox

Playing Out St Albans District in the Media

Skipping together – Playing Out thanks Nicola Calleja for use of this photo

Playing Out’s Funders and Supporters

2020 Playing Out Funders

Playing Out St Albans District is a project run by the local environment charity, Sustainable St Albans. We would like to thank the following for their generous funding support:

Playing Out CIC, Bristol
Hertfordshire Community Fund’s St Albans Fund for the Future
St Albans District Council Community Grant Fund
Hertfordshire County Council Locality Budgets from County Councillors Teresa Heritage, Anthony Rowlands, John Hale and Sandy Walkington

In addition we would like to thank the following for their support in kind:

Mark Percival Consulting video productions
The Beech House pub, St Albans
The Enchanted Tea Rooms, Redbourn
The Harpenden Arms, Harpenden

Contact Playing Out St Albans District

How about a Street Party?

Many people start off with a one-off street party to see how it goes. If this appeals to you, Our Street Party can provide you with a free information pack to help you. See our sister website www.ourstreetparty.org for information about having a street party in St Albans District or email Nicola at Our Street Party. You can have a street party in addition to your 8 Playing Out closures in St Albans District.

Street Party – Our Street Party thanks Pierre Oliviere Photography for use of this photo

Next

Click here for Playing Out Latest News – includes events and deadline dates

or

Click here for the Playing Out St Albans District How-To page – everything you need to know to start your St Albans District street Playing Out.

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