NSW school playgrounds and sportsfields to open for public use over summer holidays

The NSW Government has announced that more than 40 public schools will open their playgrounds and sportsfields for public use over the summer holidays.

The trial initiative, which aims to broaden community recreation and open space options, was announced by NSW Education Minister Rob Stokes and will see courts, ovals, and green spaces at 42 schools will be opened up to allow people to exercise and play.

Launching the initiative, Minister Stokes stated “schools are an important part of every community and often occupy prime open space. Instead of locking the gate this summer, the trial program will share this public space to allow people to exercise and play at their local school over the summer holiday break.

“We are trialing the program during the holidays with selected schools opening up their playgrounds, ovals and sports courts for the enjoyment of their communities.”

Participating schools will receive a $15,000 grant to help upgrade their facilities for community and school use.

Explaining the thinking behind the program, Minister Stokes added “our schools have a range of quality recreational and play facilities and we are making them accessible to the broader community outside of the school term.

"As fewer and fewer families have access to backyards and private open spaces, we need to make sure that the beautiful green spaces that are available, are available to everyone in the community.

"These are public spaces, the community owns them, the community paid for them.

"It is only fair that if they are not being used by schools that they be available to the wider community to enjoy."

The grounds of participating schools will be open from 8am to 6pm from 23rd December to the end of the school holidays in late January.

At most of the schools involved, private companies will be responsible for security and cleaning, which will be paid for by the NSW Education Department. 

Image: Playground at Mona Vale Public School, one of the participating schools. Courtesy of Moduplay.

25th August 2017 - TOWN OF PORT HEDLAND’S MARAPIKURRINYA PARK PLAYGROUND ATTRACTS LOCAL CHILDREN

21st November 2016 - CRICKET NSW FORMS ELITE PARTNERSHIP WITH SPORTS HIGH SCHOOLS ASSOCIATION

13th April 2015 - MALABAR HEADLAND TO BE RETURNED TO PEOPLE OF NSW 

29th November 2013 - NSW GOVERNMENT REPORT FINDS STATEWIDE LOSS OF PARKS AND PUBLIC OPEN SPACE 

12th March 2011 - AFTER-SCHOOL EXERCISE DECLINES IN NSW DESPITE FEDERAL BACKING