Adventure Playground

Our community worker Patrick Meleady and artist Steve Pool are leading a research project that explores social cohesion, with a focus on the artist in residence. Steve will support the work of the playground and blog about the experience of residency (see the blog below).

Below is a short film that foregrounds the brilliant work of those working at Pitsmoor Adventure Playground; the film is focused on a connected communities' initiative, supported by Sheffield University and the Arts and Humanities Research Council, known as the "Utopia" project. This project was also carried out in partnership with "Live Works" - a University of Sheffield initiative led by the Sheffield School of Architecture.

As a fundamental Playworker at Pitsmoor Adventure Playground, Patrick Meleady believes that "art, like play, should be freely chosen; it should be liberating".

Those who work (and who volunteer) at the Adventure Playground, including Patrick himself, are committed to art in all of its forms, whether it be used as a means of communication, creation, imagination, challenge, or enjoyment. The recreation ground has undertaken numerous art projects, some spontaneous and others planned, in adherence to children's and young people's wishes: "they have all been extremely enriching". A prime example of a previous, enriching art project is the aforesaid "Utopia" project - as documented in the video to the right.