North Warwickshire Borough Council’s Communities Team and local Councillors have unveiled 18 brand-new play area signs featuring designs created by local children from across the Borough.
The winning artwork, selected by Council Members representing each Ward, is now proudly displayed in play areas throughout North Warwickshire.
The signs are located in enclosed play areas in Royal Meadow Drive, Atherstone, Kitwood Recreation Ground, Dordon, Holly Bank Play Area, Austrey, Abbey Green Park, Polesworth, Boot Hill Play Area, Grendon, Wood End Recreation Ground, Mancetter Recreation Ground, Piccadilly Recreation Ground and Hurley Recreation Ground.
The aim of these signs is to encourage parents and carers not to smoke in or near our play areas. Even small amounts of exposure to tobacco smoke in outdoor areas can harm children’s developing lungs, increasing risks of asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory problems. Originally launched in 2013, the Smokefree Play Areas initiative was introduced to prevent smoking in spaces where children play, supporting their wellbeing and encouraging healthier lifestyles from a young age.
Studies show that children raised in environments where smoking is normalised are three times more likely to take up the habit themselves.
There are two different signs at each site, the two winners of each site are:
- Anastasia and Aliza - Atherstone - Royal Meadow Drive
- Maisie and Robyn – Dordon - Kitwood Recreation ground
- Isobel and Imogen – Austrey - Holly Bank play area
- Eve and Szofia – Polesworth - Abbey Green Park
- Archie and Markiian – Grendon - Boot Hill play area
- Mia and Logan - Wood End - Wood End Recreation Ground
- James and Frankie - Mancetter - Mancetter Recreation Ground
- Ethan and Oscar - Piccadilly - Picadilly Recreation ground
- Freddie and Dominic - Hurley - Hurley Recreation ground
View the photos of each sign here
Councillor Margaret Bell, Chair of Community and Environment Board, said:
“The new signs look great, well done to the children that designed them. We hope that the signs will have a lasting impact and influence on people who smoke close to play equipment and playgrounds.”
Councillor Sandra Smith, Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Working Party said:
“These new signs are a wonderful example of how young people can lead the way in making our community healthier. Their imaginative designs send a clear message that playgrounds should be safe, clean, and smoke-free spaces for everyone.”