As the lead organisation for the development and promotion of children and young people’s play in Northern Ireland, PlayBoard provides secretariat support to the all council Play Development Officers’ group. PlayBoard facilitates quarterly NI Play Development Forum meetings and play park site visits with councils and the Department of Education.
This month, we talked with Danielle Markwell, Development Officer for Play and Outdoor Recreation at Ards and North Down Borough Council.
Q. Danielle, can you share a bit about your background and what led you to this role?
I’ve always had a passion for community engagement and outdoor activities, which stems from my background in sports and recreation. After working in various roles which included education and SEND, I was excited to find this opportunity with the Ards and North Down Borough Council in July 2024. The position perfectly aligns with my interests in promoting outdoor play and building stronger community bonds through recreational activities.
Q. What does your role as Development Officer entail?
As the Development Officer, my primary focus is to create and deliver play and outdoor recreation activities that cater to various age groups and interests within our borough. This involves planning events, collaborating with local organisations, securing funding, and ensuring that our recreational spaces are safe, accessible, and engaging. I also gather feedback from the community to continuously improve our initiatives and make sure we’re meeting their needs.
Q. You mentioned delivering events like the Halloween and Christmas trail. Can you tell us more about these initiatives?
The Halloween and Christmas trails were designed to create a festive atmosphere and encourage families to get outdoors and explore our Bangor Walled Garden. The Halloween trail featured spooky decorations made out of our natural resources creating our take on a pumpkin patch, while the Christmas trail included festive activities an upcycled decorations that promoted creativity and fun during the holiday season. Both events were immensely popular, bringing families together and fostering a sense of community spirit.
Q. You also mentioned a Winter play series. What does that entail?
The winter play series aims to promote all things play during the colder months. We organised various venues across the Borough with a bouncy castle and activities such as dominoes, quoits, x/o, connect 4 and match the leaf with the tree name a few. Our goal is to show families that play is possible and enjoyable, no matter the season. Engaging children in activities helps them stay active and is vital for their physical and mental well-being.
Q. What do you love the most about your job?
Seeing the joy and excitement on children’s faces when they participate in our events is incredibly rewarding. It’s fulfilling to know that I’m contributing to their development and happiness. I also love collaborating with local communities and organisations to create memorable experiences. The sense of partnership and shared goals really energizes me.
Q. Looking ahead, what are your future goals for play and outdoor recreation in the Borough?
In the future, I hope to expand our programs to include more diverse activities that promote inclusivity. I also want to explore partnerships with schools to integrate play into the educational experience and create more ways for families to engage in outdoor recreation together. My vision is to cultivate a vibrant culture of play that encourages everyone in our community to embrace the outdoors and open spaces.