Objective

Proludic worked with Harpenden Town Council and the PARC Friends of Group to create a new woodland-themed inclusive park at the existing Rothamsted play area site in the heart of the town. The objective was to create a memorable play experience for toddlers, juniors, teenagers and families to enjoy.

The client had a budget of £300,000 and wanted the play equipment to be grouped into four zones for three age ranges: 0-5, 6-11 and 11-15 years.

The overarching aim of the project was to create a space where families and teenagers would like to spend more time because of the design and stimulating equipment chosen. From the outset, it was decided to remove 90% of the equipment leaving a few well-loved pieces in situ in the teen zone.

Solution

Proludic was chosen as the preferred supplier for its creativity, innovation and bespoke design. The themed design proposed a balance of natural wooden and aesthetically-pleasing steel equipment.

Once built the area would contain 65 play items, offering 350+ play experiences for 300+ users at any one time.

Play zones

  • Whimsical Woodlands (0-5 years): lots of inclusive play equipment offering both tactile and sensory play experiences.
  • Fantastic Forest (0-11 years): to be used by all ages to engage the senses through imaginative play.
  • Rambling Rivers (6–11 years): full of independent and challenging play experiences.
  • Tree Tops (10+ years): fast-paced social play.

The new play area includes some focal pieces such as a wheelchair-accessible multiplay unit (J38200), a 2m-tall climbing bear (J49104), and a Sunken Ship (J2755), but what truly makes the play area is the woodland animal theme.

A unique element that Proludic offer is an adventure game that can be tailored to each play area design which provides a fun experience in and around the park. The concept is based on a code-breaking game that gets children moving around the park solving puzzles.

In keeping with the woodland and nature theme, all the equipment looks vibrant, aesthetically-pleasing and includes units from the Origin range that utilise the natural Robinia timber.

Proludic also included HPL (High-pressurised laminate) panels with nature-inspired designs imprinted on them to further add to the sense of wonder.

Comment

"I was very happy to be involved in the delivery of this sizable project. Not only did Proludic win the tender with an amazing woodland-themed design against seven other competitors, but we successfully delivered on time and in budget a substantial destination play area that the community can be proud of and families and teenagers can repeatedly enjoy!"
– Annabel Brown, Proludic Area Manager