Early Years Playground

The space was designed for 3-4 year olds – integrating active play elements with quieter sand play. We removed several old pieces of play equipment and levelled out a large area of the slope, installing a curved oak sleeper retaining wall – establishing upper and lower areas for open-ended, child-led play. We replaced a small sand box with an all-weather sand-play room, boasting a coloured lantern roof, porthole windows, mini-deck, pulleys, moveable sifters/buckets, fitted seating and bi-folding doors to keep out foxes and cats. The play space also featured a small play mound, satellite deck, balance beams, pull-up rope, monkey rings – plus an existing mud kitchen that we refurbished. The overall area was covered with shock-pad underlay, finished with play grade artificial turf. The old slide was salvaged and rebuilt as an additional play feature. All timber poles are naturally long-lasting hardwood Robinia.

Client

Ann Tayler Children's Centre

Brief

To make better use of a narrow, muddy and sloping play area – developing a design that builds around a central all-weather sandpit.