Luton Borough Council

09/05/2024 - St Monica’s Avenue in Luton hosts town’s first ‘Play Street’ as part of new scheme to get children active.

Luton Council is proud to announce that the first successful Play Street has taken place. This is part of a pilot program designed to rejuvenate communities, promote active lifestyles, and enhance social cohesion.

The scheme is based upon the work by Playing Out, a national organisation that encourages children to play freely in the streets and spaces right outside their door.

The Play Street was hosted on Saturday 4 May at St Monica’s Avenue, where the street was temporarily closed for 3 hours between 2pm and 5pm. This enabled residents to reclaim their street as a safe space for recreational activities and community togetherness.

During a Play Street, the road is closed to through traffic, however residents can still access their cars, as well as enter and exit the street, guided by volunteer Wardens from the road. Play Streets are designed to be a community-led initiative that will be run and managed by the residents of the street.

Councillor Khtija Malik, Executive portfolio holder for public health, said: “Play Streets is a fantastic new initiative that brings communities together and promotes physical activity in children and families. It is hoped that this new scheme will allow children to make friends from their local area, get them active and encourage local parents to connect as well. It’s also the perfect opportunity for children to see what active citizenship can achieve.”

When asked for feedback, residents said they enjoyed “getting to know new people”, that the Play Street was a “good experience for kids to socialise with neighbours”, and rated the Play Street ‘excellent’ “because (the) children are happy”.

To find out more, or to host your own Play Street, please visit the Luton Council website or contact [email protected] to complete your application.