YOUR FORUM FOR PLAY, SPORTS UND LEISURE AREAS
A testament to the company’s forward thinking is a new play area in Independent Street, Nottingham.
Needing to choose a company that could make the most of the natural undulations of the area and enhance these with inspirational landscape design, to produce an innovative play area, Nottingham City Council selected Wicksteed to carry out the rejuvenation.
Eddie Curry, Head of Parks & Open Spaces, Nottingham City Council, commented, “Independent Street is one of many play grounds we are transforming with funding through pathfinder and is a good example of landscaping using natural elements alongside play equipment. The outdoor gym equipment is already proving popular and encourages a healthier lifestyle for the residents in the area. The design of the space has transformed a derelict abandoned open space and made a significant difference for the children and health and well-being of the community.”
There are now designated play areas for toddlers and teens and an exercising area for all ages that all contain a large element of natural play features. Ingeniously incorporating natural forms together with boulders, slides and tunnels, the scheme will provide a wonderfully explorative play area for all its visitors and will bring back colour, shape and texture to an area that desperately needed bringing back to life!
Very much a community-aware project, the local arts group joined up with Wicksteed’s creative team and designed some innovative mosaic-adorned cube-shaped seating which will be dotted around this play paradise.
Phil Holden, Wicksteed, commented, “Some people may perceive there has been a ‘climate change’ over recent times in the accepted principles and guidance for the provision of play for youngsters. Wicksteed - with over 90 years experience in play design behind them - is ahead of the game in designing and creating play spaces and does not regard natural play as a philosophy that is new. Successful play areas are the result of understanding; understanding the environment and, most importantly, understanding kids. Play areas need to integrate with the local environment, not only in the way they look, but also how they meet the needs of the community and the children.”
As well as constantly developing challenging play areas that excite the imagination and push physical boundaries, Wicksteed provide safe and durable play areas that will last the test of time. Expert installation and landscaping is a very good start to ensuring sustainability as well as using a company who can be relied upon for advice and maintenance as time goes by– an investment in the future!
