The Government has announced that Wearside could be one of 15 areas chosen to spearhead the campaign to create new adventure playgrounds for kids across the country.
Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, announced that 65 local authorities, including Sunderland City Council, have been invited to bid to become one of the 15 pathfinder schemes.
The pathfinder schemes will be selected next month and each will receive more than £2million in funding.
These play pathfinders will work with children, young people and their communities to develop innovative play sites with challenging equipment and natural landscapes.
The aim is to give all children the opportunity to play actively outdoors and all the sites will be accessible for disabled children.
Bids should include plans for building a new staffed adventure playground, with indoor and outdoor facilities, specifically aimed at improving play opportunities for eight to 13-year-olds.
Any of the 65 local authorities who are unsuccessful in becoming a pathfinder, but who submit satisfactory bids, will be offered capital funding of approximately £1million to develop public play areas.
Mr Balls said: "We know from parents and young people who took part in our Children's Plan consultation that these facilities are something they want and will use.
"And as parents we all know that having the time, space and opportunity to play freely and safely is one of the defining characteristics of a good childhood.
"Children need places which allow them to meet their friends and have fun – being able to burn off their energy in unstructured play is an important part of maintaining a healthy weight and life."