Challenge

In late 2024, eibe Play was invited by Katy Martin to discuss the refurbishment of the village play area in Barns Green, near Horsham, West Sussex. Katy, a dedicated member of the local community, had taken it upon herself to raise funding and work closely with the Parish Council to improve the much-loved but ageing space.

The existing playground featured metal play equipment installed on wet pour surfacing. While the swing frame and roundabout remained in good condition, several other items had reached the end of their lifespan. The Parish Council tasked eibe Play with creating a natural-looking, accessible play space that would offer children fun, challenging and inclusive play opportunities.

Solution

To maximise the available budget and remain true to eibe Play’s green ethos, the existing swing and roundabout were retained. This allowed funding to be focused on adding new play value rather than replacing items that were still functional. Given the proximity of nearby homes, it was also essential that the design blended harmoniously with the natural surroundings, avoiding overly bright colours.

The Parish Council specified that the new area should cater for children aged 2–12 years. With this in mind, eibe Play carefully selected equipment that would provide variety, inclusivity and age-appropriate challenges. The design balanced a wide range of play experiences - swinging, climbing, balancing, sliding and jumping - ensuring that children of all ages and abilities could enjoy the space.

Key features

  • Mount Kenia multiplay unit (ages 5–12)
    A centrepiece of the design, offering climbing, sliding, monkey bars and role play opportunities. This versatile structure encourages both physical development and social interaction.

  • Kamet multiplay unit (toddlers)
    Specially designed for younger children, featuring a tummy slide, climbing wall and playhouse elements. For many toddlers, this will be their very first introduction to climbing and sliding.

  • Gymnastic bars
    A fun way for children to practise strength, coordination, and balance while promoting health and fitness.

  • Musical chimes and village shop play panel
    Engaging features that support learning, creativity and social skills while adding unique play value.

Surface and accessibility

A natural-looking wet pour surface in green and black fleck was chosen to complement the surrounding landscape. This ensured the area was fully accessible year-round, including for wheelchair users and prams, while providing a safe and durable play surface.

Outcome

Work began in mid-May with the removal of the old equipment, and by late June the new play area was officially opened to the community on a warm summer evening.

The result is a vibrant, inclusive space that the children of Barns Green can enjoy for many years to come.