Mary, her sister and friend played in the haybales here when she was a child in 1959 (1) when it used to be the Cattle Market (2). She came with her sister and a friend and remembers ‘saving’ her friend after she fell between the bales.
When Mary was a child in the 1950s playing out in nearby streets and parks was common place with children roaming miles without being accompanied by an adult. However since then, playing out has reduced by 90% since the 1970s with 1.73m children not playing outside at all in 2015. (3)
The consequences of this reduced level of free play outdoors and multiple implications such as affecting friendship development, social skills, freedom, independence and negotiation of shared spaces and adversely affecting mental health. Children need the freedom to be curious, to make their own decision and explore the world around them as a fundamental part of their development and growth. Evidence shows that when this freedom is removed, it not only adversely affects their well-being as children, but increases their higher psychological distress levels as adults.(4)
Mary’s story also speaks of risky play and how she and her sister overcame a potentially life-threatening situation. However, in recent times we have seen the rise of helicopter parenting (where adults are always present during children’s play) and an increase in bureaucratic and risk averse public safety policies. This resulted in children being unable to explore their own limits and manage their own risk at precisely a time in their development when they are seeking challenge and uncertainty.
The reality is that children more far more likely to be injured playing sport (5) or by a vehicle (1700 children killed or seriously injured in 2018-20).(6)
As city populations expand, we absolutely must ensure that our built environment places children centre stage, so that they have access to nature and wild spaces, freedom to roam, the opportunity to meet other kids and the chance to test their skills and abilities. Moreover that they have agency and a sense of themselves as urban citizens. As Tim Gill says in his book, a city that works for children works for everyone. (7)
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(1) You can listen to Mary recounting the story here.
(2) The Cattle Market operated on this site from the 1890s to 1976. It stood derelict for many years before Cambridge Leisure Park opened 2014. The space is owned by Cambridge City Council, leased by U+I (formerly Land Securities) and operated by Savills. You can read more about the history of the Cattle Market here.
(3) A National Trust report in 2012 showed that children’s freedom to roam has declined by 90% since the 1970s leading to physical and mental health problems.
(4) ‘Trends in Children’s Street Play’ by Helen Dodd, Professor of Child Psychology at University of Exeter and commissioned by Play England, 2023.
(5) ‘Playing it Safe? A global white paper on risk, liability and children’s play in public space’ by Tim Gill, 2018
(6) Read LG Reform report
(7) ‘Urban Playground: How Child-Friendly Planning and Design Can Save Cities’ by Tim Gill, 2021
