YOUR FORUM FOR PLAY, SPORTS UND LEISURE AREAS
In the summer of 2004, Kew's determination to make serious botany great fun for children was demonstrated with the opening of 'Climbers and Creepers'. Bringing a new use to an old cycad house by White Peaks, Climbers and Creepers engages children from around 3-9 years in the pleasures of learning more about plants and their relationships with animals and people.
Located outside Climbers and Creepers, Treehouse Towers will allow up to 300 kids to climb up ladders, clamber across rope bridges and slide their way down from the three towers. Each tower varies in height, and as children scale between them they’ll find each one more of a challenge. The area will feature giant swings, zip wires, scramble nets, slides and a mountaineering ramp for families to enjoy, whilst also offering educational opportunities for children to learn about and appreciate trees.
The success of the installment was written all over the faces of Kew’s youngest patrons during the opening on 6th of April. Come rain or shine, this Easter weekend saw children and parents alike climbing, sliding, pulling, swinging and clambering over Kew Gardens’ latest attraction. A Friend of Kew Gardens commented “What a well designed play area, it’s great for my children”. eibe and Kew have been working closely together for roughly a year now to create a fun and stimulating play experience. Using robust and safe low maintenance equipment, Kew’s objective was to find a design to demonstrate an “importance of trees” theme.
The timber based play equipment (FSC graded) from eibe, known for its quality and of course environmental strengths, merged perfectly with the park’s own essential values and desire for the provision of play equipment built from a sustainable source and natural materials. Treehouse Towers is more than just your standard play area. It also works towards educating children about why trees matter and how we use trees in order to develop and expand Kew’s educational offering for schools and families leading up to its 250th Anniversary. On top of this, eibe have created a play space that is accessible for those who are less able.
eibe are striving to encourage the integration, interaction and engagement in play of disabled children and parents. Three tree houses suitable for kids aged from 3 - 11, Treehouse Towers is sponsored by Velvet toilet tissue. Velvet themselves have their own “Three Trees” initiative, where they ensure that three trees are replanted for every one used. Three is very much the magic number.
