Overview

Caledonia Play was approached to design, manufacture and supply equipment for a play area at Rainbow House in Glasgow that would be appropriate for the needs and abilities of the children and families using it.

The facility offers community paediatric services to young people with developmental difficulties and supports children and their families helping them develop, thrive and reach their full potential.

Project detail

Working closely with NHS Ayrshire, Crosshouse Children's Fund and staff at Rainbow House, MacKenzie Construction developed and built a sensory garden and play area as part of its on-going commitment to giving back to the local areas and communities in which it operates.

The products were to require minimal future maintenance and care, and all equipment was to conform to the European Safety Standard EN-1176.

Eco-Chimes
8 colourful, musically-tuned, anodised aluminium chime tubes designed to be played with moulded beaters, which are attached so they will not be mislaid.

Eco-Bongo Tree
Includes 3 colourful bongo drums of different diameters, which are fun and easy to play. Installed with a 100% recycled plastic post and permanently concreted into the ground.

Family basket swing
Timber frame constructed with 10cm-diameter machine-rounded legs fitted with heat-sealed bitumen sleeves and extend into the ground. Legs support a top swing beam of 14cm diameter. All-black 1.2m basket swing supported by cast stainless universal swing joints with washer plates and safety chains. Basket designed to carry up to a tonne and certificated for people with additional support needs.

Circular picnic table for wheelchair users
Robust and heavy. Includes 3 attached kidney-shaped seats allowing 6 people to sit down comfortably without climbing over the seat. Ample space for wheelchair access. European slow-grown treated softwood undercut to ensure it will not ‘bow’ in extreme weather conditions.

Log train engine with seat carriage and log carriage
Constructed with quarter-sawn, machine-rounded timbers. Usable seat height of 0.26m. A log carriage and seat carriage were added behind the engine for extra play value. A fun and robust play unit for all ages of children, particularly younger ones.

Planters
Bespoke structures combining bench seats and planters. Bench seat fitted in between two planters and installed with a backrest. Constructed using dressed and treated timbers with interlocking corners.

Safety surfacing
To meet the requirements of BS EN 1176 and BS EN 1177 for public use play areas, impact-absorbing surfacing was laid beneath all play equipment with a free fall height of over 0.6m. Wet pour was chosen and installed in a selection of colours to add more fun to the play area. A bonded rubber surface with excellent impact absorption and anti-slip properties.

Post installation inspection
Caledonia Play provided an independent and unbiased inspection by an RPII-qualified inspector. A fully comprehensive written safety and maintenance report was also provided with full photographic documentation and a list of recommended actions, as required, to ensure the site continues to conform to EN1176 and EN1177. This accompanied the Handover Pack.

Outcome

As part of the opening ceremony, the youngsters were given the opportunity to be the first to sample all the donated play equipment and the Glasgow Warriors Scottish professional rugby union team spent the afternoon playing and engaging with the children and their families.

Glasgow Warriors offered 16 players to help complete the garden with some final touches and officially open it with some of the children who visit Rainbow House. 

All images courtesy of Crosshouse Children's Fund.