Context

Jupiter Play partnered with Butlin's to design and build SKYPARK. Designed to spark young imaginations and encourage open exploration, this playful world of colour and light is all about inclusivity and interactivity. There are thrills and surprises at every turn, with six different zones celebrating positive play emotions.

Bespoke play features

Children enter Butlin's SKYPARK through a bespoke heart-shaped entrance feature to discover six zones that celebrate positive play emotions: joy, calm, excitement, happiness, surprise, curiosity.

At the heart of the playground is the 14m-tall Red Tower of Excitement, providing a panoramic sea-view and a thrilling illuminated 10m slide activated by sensors.

The SKYPARK play area will take children on a journey of discovery where children of all abilities can easily access the towers and access height for a unique above-ground perspective.

Alongside this a variety of playful experiences provide accessible fun for all:

  • a wheelchair-accessible trampoline and roundabout

  • basket and sit-up swings for support and sociability

  • sensory surprises through light, sound and colour

  • wide, wheelchair-friendly walkways and ramps

  • the UK’s longest interactive seesaw lights up the heart line the more children play as a team

  • a series of swings and climbing equipment are the heartbeat of the area

By considering the different senses - proprioception, vestibular, touch, sight and sound, a sensory-rich environment has been developed to ensure true inclusion.

Inspiration by day and Illumination by night

With innovation at the core of its business, Jupiter Play delivered a truly bespoke space with integrated lighting and sound. A large SONA dance arch provides fun, musical and sensory play for all, and the MEMO interactive 360 touchscreen posts provide a variety of fun games based on memory and movement. Several musical pieces complement the towers; including interactive wind-up action lights which play music to reward children for their efforts, xylophones and talk tubes.

Children can enjoy after-dark adventures thanks to the illuminated towers and slides – lit by a series of integrated LED lights. Jupiter Play developed a programmed light display which changes from warm white to a variety of coloured sequences throughout the day to bring the wow factor to the play experience and ensure the park can stay open until 10pm each night.

Project feedback

Jupiter Play's Managing Director Michael Hoenigmann, who was integral to the design and specification of SKYPARK, is delighted with the response from the client and guests alike.

“It was so rewarding to be at the opening of the playground after 18 months of hard work and seeing the guests reaction. As a family business it’s been a great pleasure to work with Butlin’s, another family company, to deliver what we both believe to be the UK most exciting playground”.

Feedback from guests has been overwhelmingly positive, Cheryl Lauday, 61, was particularly pleased her grandchildren could all play in the same space, despite being in different age groups. "It is very good," she said. "The kids love it. It is probably the best thing Butlins has done."