Challenge

eibe Play was tasked with creating a natural-looking play space to provide local children with fun and challenging play equipment with an all-accessible surface.

After the council went through a consultation stage with the local community, eibe Play was awarded the play area refurbishment contract. It quickly engaged with the council to refine the play equipment chosen, and after a couple of minor amendments, the manufacturing of the equipment commenced.

Solution

Firstly, eibe identified the equipment it wanted to include. It was necessary at this point to have the right amount of play equipment that caters for the broadest age group possible. Also, with this in mind, it was essential to include the right amount of play value which also offers the children a variety of play features and options to use the play space. This could consist of swinging, bouncing, balancing and jumping.

eibe Play chose its Robinia Paradiso range and Unique Softwood pine range as it would offer the play area a natural look whilst providing the local community with the right play equipment.

The children are greeted by the Playship Amphora as they enter the play space. This toddler and junior climbing piece provides numerous play experiences such as sliding, climbing and jumping whilst offering key learning development opportunities such as role play and social interaction. The local children will have fun pretending to be a captain sailing down the Thames.

Various play panels surround the play ship and two Robinia animal spring rockers. Other play items are located on an accessible play surface for children aged between 2-8 years old to enjoy. The area has also been designed to be as inclusive as possible and to include play equipment for all abilities, such as the Satellite Carousel, which offers back and neck support as it spins. A Robinia toddler swing frame and other sensory play items complement this area.

A unique feature of this area is the wheelchair-accessible sand construction unit, Sandro, installed within a new sand pit structure, which allows the local community to use it all year round due to its weatherproof canopy. This item promotes key development skills such as eye-hand co-ordination, discovery and social interaction.

eibe Play chose wet pour safer surfacing for this area, which allowed it to theme the surfacing to add extra meaning and enhance the end-users' experience. For example, the sea-themed surfacing around the Amphora play ship includes shark and fish graphics. Research was carried out on what colours would benefit children with additional requirements such as autism, and orange came out as a very friendly colour to use. With this in mind, eibe Play has used an orange pathway leading throughout the play area to ensure it is welcoming for all users.

The age range of the play equipment moves slightly higher through the play space from toddlers to early yuniors. Wherever possible, play equipment has been included that is challenging, accessible for all and unique. For example, a Ninja Trail Jump Contest has been installed, the first one in London.

Moving into the separated junior area, the Play Unit Han multiplay unit was chosen for older juniors. This play item is designed for children aged from 7 upwards and provides a challenging and fun play experience. It has been designed to make the children feel like they are playing high up in the trees, and offers plenty of routes down if they are not quite ready to take on the next crossing. Also located in this area is a Namaka Spinner, which allows numerous users to enjoy it at one time, and a Nest Swing and 20m cableway. Towards the other side of the junior play space, eibe Play added a wheelchair-assessable seesaw and Robinia hammock.

Outcome

The play area was opened in early June with and has proven popular ever since.