2025 Play Park Survey Results

14th July 2025

Methodology

We launched a survey on June 10th in order to gauge interest in and need for a play park, and it ran until 4th July. The survey was paper based, and it was placed in a number of venues in Louth including the Fish n Chik shop and the Spar shop at Park Avenue, Louth Library, at the doctors, and the uniform bank. Copies were made available for local councillors, and some were handed out to parents at Lacey Field school on Monks’ Dyke Road. The survey was promoted on local social media including on Nextdoor.co.uk, and local Facebook pages.

The survey took the form of a short questionnaire, with additional space for people to leave comments. Some respondents circled more than one answer to some of the questions, so the responses may add up to more than 100%.

Results

There were 66 responses. Respondents entered their postcodes in 65 out of 66 cases. Where given, all responses were from LN11 postcodes. This includes some responses from surrounding villages as well as the urban areas of Louth itself.

Frequency of play park use

The bar chart shows Daily: 14%,
Weekly 58%, Monthly 21%, and Less Often/Never 9%. — How often does your family use any play park?

Is distance a barrier to enjoying a play park?

The spread of answers to the second question reflected the broad spread of locations around Louth that people were responding from, as well as the whether people were constrained by factors such as mobility issues or car availability.

The bar chart shows 17% said no, 26% sometimes, 21% often, 33% yes, and 3% did
not answer. — Does distance prevent your family using a play park?

How far families have to travel to use a play park

The chart shows 9% traveling 500 metres or less; 17% travelling 1km or less; 45% travelling
1-2km; and 26% travelling over 2km. — How far do you need to travel to use a play park?

With 45% travelling 1-2km to access a playpark and 26% needing to travel over 2km, the survey showed some evidence that distance was a barrier to playpark use.

Quality of life questions

The chart shows 3% responded no; 17% yes, a little; 21% yes, somewhat; 56% yes, a lot;
and 3% did not answer. — Do you feel a play park on Park Avenue would improve your quality of life, health, or mental health?

The chart shows 4.5% responded no; 12% said yes, a little — Do you feel a play park on Park Avenue would improve your family’s quality of life, health, or mental health?

56% of respondents thought a play park would improve their quality of life, health, or mental health a lot, and this figure rose slightly to 59% when people were asked to assess the impact on their family’s quality of life.

Target age groups

The chart shows 76% selected toddlers; 85% chose children; 18% teenagers; 17% adults;
and 17% seniors. — What age groups should the park cater to?

70% of respondents circled multiple age groups in response to this question. Whilst there was broad agreement that the park should cater to toddlers and children, support for provision for teenagers, adults, and seniors was at similar levels.

Concerns

People were asked whether they had any concerns about a park being developed in the area. The most common response was “No” or “None”, at 45% of answers, followed by 32% who did not answer, and 2 who wrote “N/A”. The remaining text responses are reproduced below.

Of the five comments expressing concerns, these revolved around vandalism, antisocial behaviour, and worries about teenagers congregating.

"ASB."
"Teenagers and equipment getting ruined."
"No concerns, would benefit the local children."
"No, it's a great idea + many families will make good use of it."
"None. It will be good for the town. All the current parks in the town need re-developing. They have got run down."
"Wonderful idea!"
"This generation is growing so quickly and rude, bullies rebel, disobedient i think we need structure and discipline"
"Only anti-social behaviour."
"No but try to make it eco-friendly."
"No, hopefully there would be plenty to do for toddlers to children young teens."
"Congregation of teens during evening."
"None at all except vandalism (late at night)"
"None, it's a good idea!"

Further Comments

18 respondents left further comments. These are reproduced in full below:

"Other parks are often not suitable for toddlers."
"I would like to see more parks for children, teenagers, O.A.P.s for play, picnics, enjoying wildlife etc."
"Accessible to all! Safe and secure. Imaginative. Rope swings. Have a strong opinion focus group from children"
"It is well needed in this area of Louth. Good luck! I hope we get one..."
"Needs to be one around Westgate Fields as no parks this side of town."
"Swings would be great, only park in centre town (Springside) has none. Need a variety of activities, like Spire View + nearby toilets maybe."
"A park would improve wellbeing + mental health + be a positive attribute to the community."
"There's such a lack of play parks in Louth, I think it would be brilliant if there was another one in Louth, especially on this side of town."
"As a christian i believe there is no peace or hiding place on earth only in Jesus Christ son of God almighty but in the mean while we need security for our toddlers and i widen to 0-8 years because they are innocent"
"There is no park near Park Ave"
"Add a zip line!!"
"Had so many happy memories of this park. It was a shame to see it go."
"Lived in Louth all my life it was a shame to see the park go to waste. Kids used to love going there."
"Put a fence around the children's play area to stop vandalism. Make sure neighbours can get their cars in and out."
"This play park has good memories and NEVER should of been away from all my family and friends plus long walk to grandkids to miss out and other residents!"
"The park at Park Ave is missed by so many people and had good memories there."
"With the area growing with new homes the area would greatly benefit the families and other residents."

The original survey questions

Play Park Survey

Friends of Park Avenue Play Park aim to provide an intergenerational play park on land behind the shops off Park Avenue, and maintain it for public use. We want your views to help us make this happen and provide something that everybody can enjoy.

Your postcode

Address (optional)

1. How often does your family use any play park? (Circle one)

Daily Weekly Monthly Less often/Never

2. Does distance prevent your family using a play park?

No Sometimes Often Yes

3. How far do you need to travel to use a play park?

500 metres or less 1km or less 1-2km Over 2km Not applicable/wouldn’t use

4. Do you feel a play park on Park Avenue would improve your quality of life, health, or mental health?

No Yes, a little Yes, somewhat Yes, a lot

5. Do you feel a play park on Park Avenue would improve your family’s quality of life, health, or mental health?

No Yes, a little Yes, somewhat Yes, a lot

6. What age groups should the park cater to?

Toddlers (0-5) Children (6-12) Teenagers (13-18) Adults (for relaxation and exercise) Seniors (seating, accessible paths)

7. Do you have any concerns about developing a park in this area?

8. Please add any other comments you have in the box below.

Closing date: 4th July 2025