Requirement

A dynamic community group has succeeded in creating an exemplary community playspace in the heart of Royal Tunbridge Wells. The project was launched in Oct 2015, putting various fundraising initiatives in place. Local resident and renowned Landscape Architect, Jenette Emery Wallis from LUC lent her support to the project, creating designs for play that reflected the rich history of the site.

The site of an old bowling green was identified as the ideal spot for the new adventure play area. Unused since 2005, the green had the potential to enable challenge and delight children in amongst the landscaped Victorian park.

From the start, the Friends Group was focused on getting the community engaged with the project and canvassed local children to see what kind of play experiences they would like to see in the play area. Working within her Landscape Design Practice, LUC, Jennette was able to take on board all of the children’s ideas into the design, creating the blueprint for a play area which reflects the desires of the community and uses the space in the best way possible to deliver the highest levels of play value.

Products supplied

Timberplay provided the play equipment for the scheme including an adapted Climbing Forest, Cradle Nest Swing, Platform House, Hut Combination, Balance Beams, Playground Pump with wooden channels, Tractor and Trailer, Jumping Discs and two Sailing Boats.

Outcome

Jennette commented on the aspirations of the design:

“All the elements within the place space are designed to capture the unique essence pf the location. The serpentine sand pit and planted borders are inspired by the stream that once ran through the Calverley Estate and through this site. Play water tables celebrate the Chalybeate Spring which gave rise to the development of the town as an important health-giving spa and the timber playhouses evoke the early beginnings of The Pantiles that sprung up around it. In addition, hand carved oak sheep represent the animals that once grazed the slopes.”