In this episode of Play Attention, we sit down with Scott Chalmers, Head of Green Infrastructure at Urban&Civic, to challenge the assumption that play belongs in a designated, fenced-off area.

Drawing on years of experience delivering large-scale communities, Scott shares why play should never be “dropped in” to meet planning requirements, but embedded from the very first moment of design.

From removing fences and rethinking risk, to creating landscapes that invite people to stay, dwell, and connect, this conversation explores what happens when play is the foundation, not an afterthought.

You’ll hear:

• Why play space should be an open canvas, not a box to tick
• The reason fencing dominates playground design, and why it often points to a problem in the design process
• How nature, landscape, and play can work together to build stronger communities
• The commercial case for play, and why better spaces actually drive value
• What developers, planners, and designers need to do differently to raise the standard everywhere

Find out More:

Urban&Civic

Priors Hall Park

Play Attention is a podcast from Timberplay - exploring the thinkers, designers and changemakers shaping the future of play.

Hosted by Beth Cooper, Independent Play Consultant.

Theme music by Dave Mullen Jnr 

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