Overview

Timberplay Scotland collaborated with LUC on the development of a playground at Toryglen, part of a large public green space renewal project to the south of Glasgow city centre.

Project detail

A climbing structure is the focal point of the scheme, and is the largest Timberplay climbing structure in Scotland at approximately 20m long and over 8m width. This piece is the original climbing unit of this type and its carefully considered design and installation means it is able to offer play value, risk and incremental challenge.

The Landscape Architect used play gravel as the main surface under the play equipment. An environmentally-friendly option for playground safety surfacing, gravel has fantastic safety properties, as well as being tactile and providing additional play value. With this Climbing Structure being Robinia, rather than larch with steel feet, the use of a loose impact-absorbing surface also ensures that maintenance is made easier as the foundations can be examined easily.

A cradle nest swing and cableway generate play opportunities for all. The considered inclusion of a Ferraphone brings a sensory addition to the site. The creation of tuneful music helps to create a playful and friendly atmosphere across the site and can be used by a very broad range of users. In fact, we have observed a blind youngster using the Ferraphone – having a deep sensory experience, and crucially, felt joy and happiness knowing they were playing alongside their peers and directly influencing the place space.

Great landscape design promotes a range of natural materials and surfaces for children to interact with, and surrounding mounding helps shelter the space and is crucial for helping children – and all visitors to the space – feel comfortable and safe.