A PlayBuilder Play area for Awsworth

Case Study: The Lane Play Area
Client: Awsworth Parish Council
Budget: £45,000
Funding: Playbuilder

The existing play area at The Lane in Awsworth was old, the equipment tired; it generated little enthusiasm in the local children. Awsworth Parish Council were aware of the need to provide better facilities for their children, and instigated a refurbishment project for the site.

PlayBuilder Money
As part of the government’s new drive to improve the lives of children by increasing their fitness levels and sense of wellbeing, they are distributing £235million into play. These funds are being allocated to Local Authorities as Pathfinder or Playbuilder monies over a 2 year period. Awsworth’s Local Authority, Broxtowe Borough Council were awarded Playbuilder money, and they made funds available to community play projects. Awsworth Parish Council decided to tap into these funds and applied to the Borough Council to provide the capital for the new play area.

Project Brief
Three play manufactures were approached to provide designs for the play area. The project brief was to replace the existing equipment with innovative and challenging play equipment. To create an area that would appeal to both girls and boys aged 2-13, and that was landscape led by design, as fitting the Playbuilder scheme.
Upon evaluation the proposal from Proludic Ltd was felt to fulfil the specified brief, and they were deemed the preferred supplier. This winning design was presented to Broxtowe Borough Council as part of the funding bid. The application was successful and £45,000 awarded for the scheme.

The play Area
Based on Awsworth Parish Council’s brief, Proludic have created a play space for toddlers and juniors, with careful consideration to maintain a safe distinction between the different areas.
For the tiniest of tots a quiet, nature exploration area has been established. Featuring a sand pit, small climbing boulders, log stockading, and grass. The area, under the shade of a tree, is the perfect place for tactile toddlers to explore the world’s different sensations and textures.
The toddlers have also been given play equipment, with a Diabolo multiplay unit, springer, and roundabout. For the Juniors is a Biibox, Gyro-Spiral, Double Perch and swings. All the equipment has been chosen for its multiple movements and activities that will challenge the children, enticing them outdoors for play and exercise.
The site had an existing tarmac base and Proludic laid wetpour surfacing directly on to this, both minimising the cost, and maximising the play potential. Additional play value has then been added, with brightly coloured graphics within the safety floor.

Outcome
The new play area, completed in January 2009, has received a fantastic response from the local residents. The children of the Parish are thrilled with their new facilities, which are certain to keep them occupied for many years to come.
Builder

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