Hundreds of children's playgrounds in England close owing to cuts

Councils shut 214 playgrounds in financial years 2014-16 blaming ‘unprecedented budget constraints’, FOI requests show

Hundreds of children’s playgrounds have been closed or are being closed by cost-cutting local authorities across England, with councils blaming “unprecedented budget constraints” for the decision to get rid of parks and sports facilities.

A series of freedom of information requests to local authorities found that 112 playgrounds were closed in the 2014-15 financial year, and a further 102 in 2015-16.

Related: UK's cash-starved parks at tipping point of decline, MPs warn

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from Children | The Guardian http://ift.tt/2p7BG3K