Challenge

Bramall Hall in Stockport was undergoing significant restoration and development and the play area needed updating to reflect the progress at the Hall. As it is a destination location, large numbers of children use the playground throughout the year. All the equipment and surfacing needed to be fun and stimulating but also robust enough to cope with the heavy footfall.

Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council carried out some initial design consultations before working with Massey & Harris to develop the designs further. One request was for a play unit that could be extended or added to if future funds became available to increase the size of the play area.

Solution

The centrepiece selected for the play area was a bespoke Adventure³ unit with two offset cubes complete with access nets, a climbing wall and tunnel slide. The Adventure³ unit was designed so that a third cube could be installed at a later date, with a second spiral tunnel slide using a common support post with access from the second cube. If a third cube is added no additional surfacing would be required, keeping costs to a minimum.

Curved stainless steel, low-level play equipment was adapted to fit within the space available and a new Reed spinner was developed and installed. A Tulip spinner was also included to replace an old roundabout which had been removed.

A triple-bay swing complete with a nest seat and matching colour scheme completed the play area providing everything that had been requested for swinging, climbing, sliding, spinning, hiding and balancing.

Massey & Harris carried out the entire works complete with equipment installation, artificial grass surfacing, tegula block edging and all remedial surfacing work.