I, like many others in our community, live in a block of flats. This home, which I share with my vibrant 2-year-old, overlooks patches of communal grass that fringe the perimeter of our block. These grassy areas, confirmed by the council as communal spaces, are accessible to the public, yet they lack the necessary safety protections for our children.

These communal spaces come alive with the sound of children playing, their laughter echoing between our building blocks. While this sight is heart-warming, it's also tinged with worry; these areas are directly adjacent to roads and public pathways, posing a safety issue.

Research by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that non-fenced play areas near roads present higher risks for accidents, particularly for children aged 5 and under. Their report quantifies the importance of barriers as crucial measures to deter accidental road access, providing a safer environment for our little ones.

The simple act of installing fences around these spaces can effectively change this. Fences can transform our communal grass areas into a safer haven for children, allowing them to explore, run free, and soak in the outdoors without heightening risk. This action would not just benefit the children but would also provide peace of mind to parents and guardians.

Together, we can press the council to prioritize the safety of our children. They deserve to play in their communal spaces without fear, and we, as a community, have a responsibility to ensure this. Please sign and support our petition to request the council to install safety fences around our communal grass areas. Let's provide our children a safer, happier outdoor environment.

I am currently on the waiting list for a house as I need a garden for my daughter and my dog, but I could be waiting years.

During the summer we spend most of it indoors as it can get too hot to be walking round and sitting on fields and parks. It would be alot better if children could have somewhere to sit in the shade, paddling pool etc. 

It would also be beneficial for adults too, my mental health has been affected due do spending most of it indoors especially when my child goes to bed I would love nothing more to spend my evening sitting in a closed off space. Would love to be able to clean the outside of my windows but I can't because I know my 2 year old will do a runner.

With the communal grass area being do open I have had to deal with children who don't live near playing football which isn't an issue but when they are pelting the ball at your living room wall for hours it can get quite irritating, I've had footballs pelted at my childs bedroom window while she is sleeping, kids screaming through my window's, things thrown through my windows the list goes on. There is no privacy especially when the kids are playing football they stand there looking through my window so ispend all summer with my windows and curtains closed.

I have brought this up with wrexham council many times to be told that they are not allowed to put fences up I didn't exactly get a reason why but the only answer I got was the council wouldn't be able to cut the grass. The issue also is the communal area is the blocks responsibility so if there is rubbish etc the council have to come and pick it up and we get charged for it on our rent.

How is it fair that we get charged when children, adults on hot days, walking from school, the children playing football throw their litter and food on the communal grass area but it's us that get charged for it. I understand a fence isn't going to stop that but it would motivate me to go and pick it up as it would be a safe space for my child so I would have to go and pick it up. 

The council need to understand that us as a block would take responsibility in cutting the grass and ensuring that it stays clean and litter free. Some may agree some may not but alot of people wouldn't need to apply for houses if the flats had a safe, fenced off space. 

Thank you for reading and I hope you please sign it.