Get set for summer holiday Street Play parties

With children across the city now looking forward to a long hot summer, plans are already in place for the next Street Play play dates on Friday, July 19 to Sunday, July 21.

It following the recent success of the Street Play Midsummer Big Weekender, which saw neighbourhoods in all parts of the city spill on to traffic free streets to let children play and adults enjoy a stress free get together in the sunshine.

Street Play is a Glasgow City Council scheme that allows community-based organisations and residents' groups to set-up their own street parties with the backing of a free-of-charge and properly managed road closure.

It's a chance for children to play sports, traditional street games or just run free in the street without the usual road safety concerns. It also allows adults to socialise with friends and neighbours in the fresh air right outside their homes without having to worry about the traffic.

Councillor Anna Richardson, City Convener of Sustainability and Carbon Reduction, did a tour of many of the play parties staged during the Midsummer Big Weekender and was thrilled with the way communities have embraced Street Play.

Councillor Richardson said: "There was an absolutely fantastic atmosphere at the Street Play sessions I visited over the midsummer weekend. People of all ages were really getting into the spirit of Street Play and enjoying the freedom of a traffic free street.

"Children were loving the space to play in, parents were relaxed and joining in the fun and many, many businesses along the streets where there was a road closure were delighted with the foot fall. It just shows that communities can thrive without the car as king, even if just for one day.

"We're now into the school holiday and parents are always looking for things to do. The summer holiday Street Play would be a great way to keep the kids occupied close to home and bring some added life to a community. There's simple form to fill-in and we will cover all the costs of safely setting up a Street Play session."

The deadline for the summer holiday Street Play on July 19-21 is fast approaching with applications due in by the end of Monday, July 1.

But there is a further Street Play weekend schedule for September 20-22 and plenty of time for applications to be submitted.  Further information on the scheme and how to apply can be found on the Street Play page of the council website.