Here at Creative Play we have been designing, manufacturing and installing fantastic playgrounds for over 25 years. Needless to say, we have installed our fair share of school playgrounds up and down the UK during this time; and 2017 has been no different!
We thought it would be a great idea to look back through our archives and chose 6 of our most favourite 2017 playgrounds. From Multi-Use Games Areas to sensory gardens, trim trails to impressive tower systems, it’s been extremely difficult to whittle it down to our top 5.
In no particular order, see below to see if your school has made our list.
Sheffield High School/ Ashdell Prep
THE BRIEF
With the merger of Ashdell Prep with Sheffield High School, it was agreed between the sites that two play areas at Ashdell Prep should be completely rejuvenated before the new school year starts in September. The brief was simple: to introduce a lot more colour through the incorporation of play equipment & safety surfacing.
THE DESIGN
For this project we knew the customers wanted to add some serious colour to their outdoor play spaces so we really went for it! Vibrant play pieces such as our First Mate pirate ship and Carousel Mini not only have a lot of colour, but they also provide lots of play features such as slides, climbing panels and crawling tunnels; ideal for promoting physical play and developing fundamental movement skills. Smaller items such as Playboards, a storytelling area, Sandbox, Water Wall and bespoke playhouse were also added to provide a wider variety of play opportunities. Our Wetpour Safety Surfacing was used throughout both areas to again add colour but to also ensure all British and European safety standards would be met. We used a number of bright colours and even integrated designs such as hopscotches, mirror me stations and roadways to provide even more play opportunities.
Trinity Oaks C of E Primary School
THE BRIEF
Trinity Oaks C of E Primary School is a reasonably new school; only opening in September 2014. This meant the school didn’t really have a play facility for the children and with new KS2 pupils due to start soon, they wanted to add a play area before they started. Overall, the school wanted to incorporate a climbing frame and a shelter area as a minimum.
THE DESIGN
The development area at Trinity Oaks C of E Primary school was pretty much a blank canvas, ready for a complete transformation. We decided to add one of our Jigsaw Play Towers to add the ultimate one-stop play structure. Alongside this, we added our Octavia Shelter, a Timber Cabin, two pieces of our popular Trim Trail range; our Jelly Board and Moving Beam, to add even more play options. Thermoplastic playground markings were also included to allow for ball games. Overall, we managed to meet all of the requirements requested by the school, and more!
To ensure the playground met all of the BSEN 1176/1177 safety standards required, we laid our Wetpour Safety Surfacing, in blue and green, under the Jigsaw Play Tower and Timber Cabin; this also added a nice splash of colour to the existing tarmac area.
Sherfield School
THE BRIEF
An existing customer, Sherfield School got back in contact with Creative Play as they were looking to revamp their KS1 and Early Years areas. Wanting to focus primarily on sensory play, role play and climbing equipment they were keen to hear our thoughts on how best to redevelop the two outdoor spaces. As always, we were happy to help!
THE DESIGN
Due to the scale of the Sherfield’s development, we knew we wanted to incorporate a variety of impressive play equipment to really utilise the space on offer. Our Adventure Trail 16 is a ready made circuit ideal for encouraging physical play and developing fundamental movements skills, while our vibrant Mini Train and Teepee playhouse meets the role play elements requested in Sherfield’s brief. Sensory play items such as our Water Wall -EYFS, Mud Kitchen Midi & Digging Planter Miniature Garden are fantastic for encouraging children to discover & explore during play and are always popular in both Early Years & KS1 settings. A combination of Wetpour and Rubber Mulch Safety Surfacing was used throughout to provide all-weather play surfaces as well as to ensure all BSEN 1176 and 1177 safety requirements were met.
Willow Green Academy
Willow Green AcademyTHE BRIEF
Wanting to transform their existing EYFS tarmac play area, Willow Green Academy got in touch with Creative Play. During their consultation it became apparent that they wanted to include a mixture of play surfaces as well as incorporate a main climbing tower, sensory items and imaginative play equipment. Being such a large development, we were excited to get started!
THE DESIGN
With so many wants we really wanted to make sure we met, and exceeded, all of Willow Green’s expectations. Firstly, we included classic sensory play items such as our Water Wall – EYFS and new Messy Play Tables whilst for the main climbing tower we created a custom Jigsaw Tower with a slide, V-Bridge and Net Climber. Den-Making Teepees & Weaving Beams were added to spark imaginations and our Half Octavia Shelter creates a great outdoor classroom. We also added a Timber Combi Goal with two Timber Kickboards to create a great sports zone. Throughout the development we used a variety of coloured Wetpour Safety Surfacing to create different play zones whilst ensuring all BSEN 1176 & 1177 safety requirements were met. For the sports area, Artificial Grass Safety Surfacing was used to mimic a football pitch.
Oasis Academy Ryelands
Oasis Academy RyelandsABOUT
After developing their KS2 area, Oasis Academy Ryelands got back in contact with Creative Play in regards to transforming its KS1 area. A new school site, the existing tarmac area was completely empty and was a great blank canvas for us to work with. After Ryeland’s consultation, it became apparent that they wanted to create a quiet area that would include lots of seating as well as provide select play items that would encourage open-ended play.
Together we decided on a stage area, with numerous curved benches, ideal for both performing and spectating, during break and lesson times. Our Storytellers Area was also added to create an additional group space. Two Den-Making Teepees and Artificial Grass Safety Surfacing were included to enhance the rustic feel of the predominantly timber play equipment. Finally, a variety of seating and benches were provided to create lots of zones ideal for relaxing and socialising.
Norwood Primary School
Norwood Primary SchoolABOUT
Wanting to develop their EYFS area in stages, Norwood Primary School got in touch with Creative Play in regards to kick-starting their project.
During Norwood Primary School’s consultation they confirmed that they wanted to create a fun roadway out of some sort of safety surfacing. After discussing what safety surfacing would be best for their individual needs, together we decided that a Artificial Grass area with a contrasting Colourplay roadway design would be ideal.
The contrast of the natural grass effect against the block colours would create a really crisp finish and show off the play features well, while also providing a tactile, all-weather play surface. Design details such as zebra crossings and lane lines we incorporated to provide additional prompts for imaginative play as well as aid road safety lessons.
Overall the final area looks great and we cannot wait to see how this projects unfolds in the future.