Britain’s playgrounds have become no-go areas for the nation’s children.

In our recent study of British parents, ESP Play revealed that two out of five (44%) of parents cited poor equipment conditions as the main reason for having kept their kids away.

Safety concerns were the biggest barrier for more than a third (36%), whilst hygiene issues including excessive dog faeces were the top worry for more than a quarter (28%). Other obstacles included lack of suitable facilities like shade or seating (22%), and fears of aggression from other children and parents (16%).

Shockingly, one in three children (32%) had suffered an accident or injury that their parents stated was due to poor quality or dangerous playground equipment.

Following the The Play Gap Report where Freedom of Information requests showed that some councils had made significant cuts to spending – this study into the nation’s attitudes and experiences of playgrounds demonstrated a sharp decline in playground use within this generation.

Three quarters (75%) of parents claimed they played in local parks at least once a week when they were their children’s age – 44% also revealed that their children enjoyed playing on their phones instead of going to the park, while 39% would have preferred to play video games than play outdoors.

Andrew Wood, ESP Play Managing Director, said: “We carried out this research to highlight how, as a nation, we are letting our children down by not giving them access to safe and enjoyable outdoor play spaces.

“It’s alarming to discover that HALF of all parents say that their children don’t go to a playground as well as the huge number of injuries from poor quality equipment.

“Four out of five people said that poor equipment, maintenance or safety concerns stopped their children from playing. When playgrounds suffer from poor maintenance and safety hazards, we not only endanger children’s physical safety but also impede their social and emotional development.

“Childhood is supposed to be fun and, by not giving our children the same opportunities we had, we risk damaging future generations.”

Professor Helen Dodd, child psychiatrist and Trustee of Play England, said: “Play is essential for a happy, healthy childhood.

“Having time and space to play gives children the opportunity to express themselves, to explore, to be physically active, to take risks and to have freedom to choose what they want to do. It is really important that children have access to good quality playgrounds.”

The survey of 1,000 parents of young children across the UK gave a snapshot of the condition of play spaces all over the country.

Of those surveyed, 54% said local authorities should be more involved in the maintenance and improvement of the playgrounds in their local areas.