Ferrybridge Playground, Knottingley

Client: Wakefield Council

Cost: £107,000

Date: January 2026

Genre: Community, Junior, Toddler

The town of Knottingley, on the eastern border of West Yorkshire, is a former mining area which lies just up the road from our head office. This small town is home to a popular play space which is perfectly positioned on the community’s doorstep, alongside a playing field that is frequently used by dogwalkers and grassroots football teams. By late 2025, however, Ferrybridge Playground had begun to show its age and was due an upgrade (a situation which had been highlighted by a dedicated residents’ campaign), and we were thrilled to partner with Wakefield Council to make it happen.

From the start, we worked closely with the council to formulate a design which would meet all of their key requirements, and which would ensure a fresh start for Ferrybridge. Almost all of the existing equipment would be removed, and in its place would be a number of exciting new additions sure to inspire many years of fun for children of toddler and junior age. A particular emphasis would be placed both on durability, to minimise the need for extensive future maintenance, and on user capacity per item, allowing the space to cater for a much higher number of visitors without having to extend its footprint.

The layout would also be rethought, with the removal of an existing central fence which divided the space into two; this would encourage open and fluid play for children of all ages, as well as a much greater sense of community cohesion and connection. In the same vein, a minimum of 1.5m of free space around each unit would guarantee ample circulation space and easy accessibility for parents with prams or buggies, and for people in wheelchairs – enhancing the existing accessibility provided by the car park directly beside the space.

Laying the Foundations of Fun

Another major change was the removal of the majority of the existing surfacing – like the equipment, this had grown tired after many years of use. New Playtop with Nike Grind would be introduced in most areas, a material made from a sustainable mix of recycled Nike Rubber Trainers and top course rubber which would create a more consistent surface for all visitors. The old remaining block paving slabs would also be jet washed and any broken slabs replaced, and we included provision to upgrade the space’s infrastructure, with new benches, litter bins and self-closing gates all helping to deliver a clean and comfortable visitor experience.

During the installation, we encountered an early challenge after discovering a much larger presence of concrete than originally expected beneath the surface of the site. This had the potential to derail the progress of the work, but our installers worked hard to break it down and remove it using specialist equipment. As a result, the project was subsequently completed on time and to a very high standard.

Today, Ferrybridge Playground has been fully restored to its former glory, with a vibrant infusion of new equipment revitalising its appeal to families from every corner of this community:

The biggest and most eye-catching new addition is our Unicorn unit, a key member of our brand-new Fantasy range which focuses on maximising play value for younger children within a compact footprint. Unicorn is a triple tower multi-play with 21 play activities for up to 18 visitors aged 3 – 8, including fantasy role play elements such as a troll/unicorn head-through panel and a shop with counter, sign, and doorbell.

Meanwhile, a number of challenging access points and bridges enable children to ascend and traverse the unit, while a 1.2m high stainless steel bedway slide offers a swift exit. At ground level, our inclusive Communications Panel displays a range of play-themed symbols, enabling children who struggle with speech to develop their non-verbal skills, and a seat below-decks enables users to rest with friends.

Another centrepiece unit is our Four Towers climbing frame, a challenging piece full of play value which can accommodate up to 21 junior age users at once. Strong coordination is required to traverse its circuit of physical play activities, which includes a cargo net and a rope bridge, and it also features a wide slide and numerous 1m wide square decks, giving parents room to support less able users from ground level.

The final large unit is our 20-metre aerial Cableway. This crowd-pleaser promises many high-altitude adventures for children of all ages as they zip through the air on its suspended zipline, and it is sure to prove a major attraction for younger visitors, as well as teenagers, all year round. Crucially, we positioned the Cableway towards the back of the space, away from the more toddler-focused items, to prevent collisions and ensure a safe visit for all.

Classic Play for All

Alongside these prominent additions, a variety of smaller pieces provide a wide array of classic playground experiences for children of toddler age all the way up to early teens:

Our Pivot Seesaw promises perfectly balanced adventures for up to two friends, with a simple pivot point in the centre of its double steel top bar, as well as a HPL seat at each end with a moulded hand grip for added comfort and security. Elsewhere, a trio of our most popular roundabouts each bring a different spin on a classic play experience – our inground Small Inclusive Roundabout can be easily accessed by prams, pushchairs and wheelchairs, our Hula Rotator is based around a suspended hoop, and can be used alone should children prefer, and our multiuser Flywheel Roundabout includes a large central seating area, and can seat up to six users aged 3 and over.

Finally, the swings are an essential aspect of any child’s trip to the playground, and we delivered an infusion of new options to keep children returning to Ferrybridge. In the centre of the space, we added two of our 2.4m high extendable Modular Swing frames, one of which features two of our Large Flat Seats for a traditional swinging experience, and another which includes a Turtle Shell Nest Seat, with an open design which enables numerous children of all abilities to share memorable adventures in the air.

At the other end of the space, we replaced an old and worn swing frame with a brand new, 1.8m high Two Seat Swing, and added two of our body-hugging Cradle Seats for younger children, which provide a secure and comfortable experience for the child as they swing.

Exceeding Expectations

Sheryl Smith, Sutcliffe Play Area Sales Manager for Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, said:

‘I’m delighted to see this fantastic project completed in Ferrybridge, just up the road from our head office, and really pleased to see the huge benefits it is already delivering for the community. It is always a pleasure for us to bring new, inspiring play opportunities to any area of the country, but it is particularly rewarding to do so right on our doorstep. For many years we’ve enjoyed an excellent relationship with Wakefield Council, our own local authority in West Yorkshire, and we’re thrilled to have delivered them another revitalised play space (with one of our brand-new Fantasy units at the forefront!) for local children to enjoy.’

We were proud to collaborate with Wakefield Council to bring fresh energy and dynamism to this formerly tired space – just the latest in a number of playgrounds we’ve worked hard to regenerate recently in our own backyard. Most excitingly of all, Ferrybridge Playground now occupies a unique place in our history as the first space to showcase one of our new Fantasy units, which are sure to be a huge presence in our product range for many years to come; likewise, we have no doubt that our work at Knottingley will also stand the test of time.

Playground Equipment:

Unicorn

Unicorn – 3 Tower & Inclusive Steps

Four Towers

Four Towers

Cableway

Cableway

Pivot Seesaw

Pivot Seesaw

Small Inclusive Roundabout

Small Inclusive Roundabout

Hula Rotator

Hula Rotator

Flywheel Roundabout

Flywheel

2.4m Modular Swing Set

Modular Swing Set

Large Flat Seat

Large Flat Seat Black

Turtle Shell Nest Seat

Turtle Shell Nest Seat

1.8m Two Seat Swing

1.8m Two Seat Swing

Cradle Seat

Cradle Seat

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Lappset

As a result of our strategic partnership with Lappset, we are proud to continue our business’s long history of providing sustainably manufactured and ultradurable playground equipment across the UK and beyond.

The vast majority of Lappset’s product range is manufactured from high quality, responsibly sourced Nordic pine (derived from the Pinus Sylvestris tree), meaning it benefits from all of the environmental and economic advantages that wood offers including renewability and natural durability against the elements; these qualities make it an excellent fit for use in playgrounds.

Lappset acquires most of their pine from PEFC-certified managed forests located in northern Europe, close to their Rovaniemi factory, and its production is subject to strict quality controls at every stage. Of the harvested supplies, 99% are used in manufacture, and the remaining 1% is redirected to an energy from waste facility.
It is then exposed to a highly stringent treatment process, which involves the application of a high-quality wood preservative agent using water and pressure. The agent penetrates the surface of the wood, imbuing it with an inbuilt protection against rotting, mould, embrittlement and the harsh elements, as well as damaging vermin such as termites – extending its overall service life in the process. Lappset’s treatment process achieves a very high penetration rate of 95%.

As well as the obvious durability benefits, this is environmentally prudent: fortifying the pine with preservative means its longevity is increased, minimising the need for replacement in the future, and sparing precious forest resources. The process itself also takes place under forensically controlled conditions, which follow the Nordic NTR quality criteria, and it is approved by Nordic Ecolabel, one of the strictest ecolabels in the world (Lappset was the first manufacturer to achieve this for timber treatment).

Following this stage, the pine is glue laminated and precisely engineered, resulting in strong continuous beams which avoid the problems of cracking and splintering that are commonplace with other types of wood products such as Robinia.

The equipment’s end-of-life stage is just as carefully considered. Thanks to their modular structure, Lappset products can be easily disassembled, and where applicable, pressure-treated components can be reused in new products. Parts that need to be disposed of, meanwhile, are delivered to specialist recycling sites intended for pressure-treated products. In addition, Lappset is part of the RINKI recycling scheme, a Finnish non-profit organisation which helps businesses meet their recycling obligations.

Lappset’s wooden products include a warranty of up to 15 years, depending on playground location and ground contact.

LLDPE

LLDPE (Linear Low-Density Polyethylene) is a thermoplastic polymer used to manufacture some of the slides used on our multi-play units. It is also the main component in the Turtle Shell swing seats we supply.

LLDPE is ideal for use in playground equipment, as it can be moulded into large shapes and complicated profiles; these can then be compounded in a wide range of opaque colours, or a translucent finish when not pigmented.

In addition, with a more linear polymer chain structure than regular LDPE, LLDPE enjoys a higher puncture and impact resistance, as well as greater tensile strength (making it much less likely to fracture or deform). This means it is extremely resilient in the face of chemicals and moisture – a vital attribute for play equipment which stands outdoors in inclement weather. Conversely, it can also withstand temperatures of up to 80°C, which proves highly relevant in countries or regions with hot climates.

In terms of sustainability, LLDPE is 100% recyclable, and when recycled, it typically retains most of the mechanical properties of its virgin material. Our own supplier of LLDPE is a respected European enterprise, which sources its components from an ISO 9001:2015 accredited company.

Our LLDPE is covered by a 5-year warranty against structural failure due to material or production defects.

Rope

Durable steel-cored rope is a hugely versatile material, which offers great utility as part of more challenging equipment, such as our climbing and balancing focused Mission and Neo ranges, whilst also being used to create the colour contrasting scramble nets found on a number of our inclusive-focused units.

The rope’s steel core offers great durability, allowing it to endure heavy sustained usage for long periods without requiring replacement. Not only does this minimise wastage, but at the point that replacement finally does become necessary, its environmental impact is mitigated by the fact that steel is one of the world’s most recyclable metals.

Prior to this, however, sustainability is also a key consideration for us during the initial stages of our equipment’s development. This is why we seek to deal with responsible suppliers at all times, and participate in a sustainable supply chain with environmental consideration at its heart.

Both of our wholesale suppliers of steel-cored rope hold all of the relevant credentials to operate in a modern, climate conscious marketplace, and both source their rope from a respected third-party enterprise which holds the ISO 14001. This internationally recognized standard demonstrates their commitment to minimizing their environmental impact, and continuously improving their performance in this area.

Our nets and ropes are covered by a 5-year warranty against non-structural failure due to faulty workmanship or materials.

Anti-Slip Surfacing

Many of our products, especially our multi-play units, are designed to enable fast, thrilling, kinetic play for all ages and abilities. This is why durable, hard-wearing anti-slip surfacing is another key material used in our factory, to deliver the safest, highest quality playing experience for children.

The two most commonly used materials in this regard are Hexastrong panels and WISA®-Multifloor panels. The former is found primarily on the walking decks and steps on many of our multi-play units, including in our MiniTown, Toddlerzone and Playzone ranges. With their hard-wearing nature and excellent strength to weight ratio, these panels are ideally suited for use on playground equipment, and as they are produced primarily from timber, they can be considered a renewable resource.

Durable WISA®-Multifloor panels are also utilised most prominently in our Toddlerzone and Playzone ranges. Constructed from birch veneers bonded together with weather-resistant glue and coated with an elastic overlay, they deliver a strong, safe surface on walking decks and steps, upon which children can play freely.

As with all materials involved in the manufacture of our products, we work hard to ensure we deal with responsible suppliers at every stage, and participate in a sustainable supply chain with environmental consideration at its heart:

Both of our Hexastrong suppliers are UK-based, reducing emissions from overseas freight, and the materials we source from both are FSC (Forest Stewardship Certification) approved, ensuring they are derived from well-managed forests and tracked throughout their manufacturing journey. Both suppliers also fully comply with the Timber and Timber Products Regulations (UKTR), which requires them to conduct all necessary due diligence on their supply chains, to ensure the materials they use have been legally sourced and traded.

One of our suppliers also utilises a Carbon Calculator, to inform every customer of the overall carbon footprint of their order, taking in manufacture, delivery of the product to the supplier’s warehouse, and storage, all the way up to the moment it leaves the supplier’s premises. This information allows us to easily understand the carbon impact of the Hexastrong panels we purchase, and assess the results accordingly.

Our supplier of WISA®-Multifloor panels, meanwhile, is based like us in West Yorkshire, again reducing freight emissions, and as with our Hexastrong supplier, is FSC (Forest Stewardship Certification) approved and fully complies with the Timber and Timber Products Regulations (UKTR).

Both our Hexastrong and Wisa®-Multifloor panels are covered by a 5-year warranty against material degradation.

Paint/Finishing

Although originating from our West Yorkshire factory, our equipment delivers fun across the country every day – and beneath the colourful surface, its fundamentals are high quality, durable, and sustainable.

When it comes to safeguarding our environment, however, we know the surface itself has a part to play, too. We utilise a range of different treatments and finishes, including galvanising, powder coating and zinc priming. These processes provide the materials with the best chance of enduring heavy usage, whilst sealing the surface’s prime coating, and adding further durability through a UV stable colourfast finish.

The manner of application is also crucial with regards to sustainability. Our preferred method, electrostatic spraying, involves the use of a spray gun to powder coat the metal. This leads to an exceptionally even particle distribution when compared with traditional airless methods, which can result in significant overspray and insufficient coverage. The improved transfer then translates to reduced paint consumption, which in turn reduces waste, and saves on any cleaning agents required to remove excess.

Our UK-based supplier practices sustainable delivery methods, including utilising cardboard packaging in place of plastic, as well as biodegradable packing made from natural, nontoxic sources (such as wheat and corn starch) which can be used in compost piles after use.

Our paint and galvanising are both covered by a 7-year warranty against significant corrosion due to faulty materials or finishing.

Rubber

With its inherent flexibility and array of bright colours, rubber is ideal for use in play equipment.

In our case, it is the main material used in many of our swing seats, whose design and production originally helped to make Sutcliffe Play a leading name in the playground market.

Rubber is derived from the sap of the rubber tree, which, when farmed responsibly, can be tapped for latex production over a period of many years before requiring replacement. Not only does this make the rubber itself a sustainable resource, it is also a great benefit for the wider ecosystem, as rubber trees have a significant capacity to absorb carbon dioxide.

Likewise, natural rubber is also extremely biodegradable, giving it a major advantage over plastic (which can take decades or even centuries to decompose); the higher the percentage of pure latex rubber in the compound, the faster it breaks down upon disposal.

Our north-west based supplier is a leading enterprise that operates a Sustainable Procurement Policy, which seeks to monitor and manage the business’s environmental impact, whilst ensuring social, environmental and economic factors are fully considered by employees and suppliers.

Our rubber is covered by a 3-year warranty against material degradation.

Aluminium

Sustainability and durability run through our equipment quite literally from top to bottom, as the supporting uprights on our popular Toddlerzone, Playzone, Neo and Mission ranges are constructed from high-quality, responsibly sourced aluminium.

Three of our four main aluminium suppliers are based locally in West Yorkshire, reducing freight emissions, and all seek to work within a sustainable supply chain, with one certified to the Environmental 14001 standard, whilst another is beginning to roll out the use of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil to replace diesel at all of their service centres, leading to a reduction in carbon emissions and nitrogen oxide.

Aluminium is not only a highly durable material, it is also the most recyclable metal in the world, and can be continually re-melted and refashioned into new products without losing its properties. This process also uses up to 95% less energy than the production of new aluminium from raw materials.

Its unique combination of versatile properties, including low weight, high strength, corrosion resistance and recyclability make it a perfect match for heavy usage playgrounds. A hardened powder coated finish provides it with the best chance of enduring heavy usage, whilst sealing the surface’s prime coating, and adding further durability through a UV stable colourfast finish.

Our aluminium is covered by a lifetime warranty against structural strength, and our powder coating is covered by a 7-year warranty against significant corrosion due to faulty materials or finishing.

Mild Steel

Mild steel is another essential material which is a perfect fit for our durable product range, used to create the supporting components of our multi play units, as well as rotators such as our inclusive dish roundabouts.

As with stainless steel, our supplier is an established enterprise in the local West Yorkshire area. Their mild steel includes an average of 76% recycled content, and is created from raw materials sourced from UK and Belgian foundries which are BES6001 certified. As of April 2023, their activity was estimated to produce 1.39 tonnes of carbon emissions per tonne of steel, well below one of the major estimated industry averages (1.85 tonnes), and on par with another (1.40).

This high-quality material is painted using a sustainable electrostatic process, and gains added protection through a UV stable colourfast finish. It has been proven to withstand not only the rigours of daily usage but the harshest of outdoor environments, including those with high salinity – this is well-evidenced by the fact that there has never been a customer claim against its structural guarantee.

Our mild steel is covered by a lifetime warranty against structural strength.

Stainless Steel

Another material that helps us to offer the most robust equipment on the market is stainless steel, used in the manufacture of our chute, bedway and bannister slides.

Our supplier is local, based like us in West Yorkshire (reducing freight-based carbon emissions), and sources their stainless steel from an enterprise which is a leader in sustainability, whose steel output includes a recycled content of between 85% and 90% (against an industry average of 60%); this same enterprise has also reduced their direct per ton CO² by 25% over the last decade. In addition, the carbon footprint of their stainless steel has been found to be almost 40% smaller than it was in the 1990s.

The stainless steel in our products is maintenance free, easy clean, and suitable for all environments. It conforms to EN10088 specifications, and it is austenitic – making it stronger, more durable, and less electrically and thermally conductive than carbon steel, as well having a greater corrosion resistance. This durable, robust composition greatly extends the material’s lifespan, deferring waste creation (and steel is already the most recycled material used in manufacturing overall, so is far less likely to create waste at all).

Our stainless steel is covered by a lietime warranty against structural strength.

HPL

HPL is a high-performance, external grade, self-supporting laminate utilised in versatile ways throughout our product range, such as the colourful panelling on many of our multi-play units.

The two key components in its creation are paper (technically called cellulose fibres) and thermosetting resin, with the former representing 60-70% of the finished material.

Our supplier is an Environmental Management Systems ISO 14001:2015 certified business, which holds both of the voluntary ‘Chain of Custody’ certifications according to FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) and PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) schemes. These certifications guarantee that the final product is made of material from well-managed, FSC or PEFC-Certified forests, and other controlled sources.

No organic solvents, asbestos or heavy metals are used during HPL’s production cycle, and it doesn’t release any gases, vapours, solvents or fluids. Its processing waste can be handled in a manner equivalent to household waste at controlled landfills, and it is estimated that 80% of the waste generated by our supplier is recovered.

Once created, HPL’s standout durability (it is fire-retardant, scratch and shock resistant, and non-porous) ensures that it will resist a great deal of wear and tear, and endure for long periods before requiring replacement.

Our HPL panels are covered by a lifetime warranty against non-structural failure due to faulty workmanship or materials.

HDPE

HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) is an extremely versatile thermoplastic polymer used in the freestanding play panels which feature in many of our play spaces, as well as for various components across our product range.

Offering an excellent strength-to-density ratio, and a very high impact resistance and melting point, products utilising HDPE are sure to enjoy a very long life.

The HDPE we purchase is sustainably sourced, and includes an average of 76% recycled content. Our supplier has also recycled 99% of their waste material and off-cuts since the formation of their business, and offers HDPE recycling services to customers for products which are no longer required.

Unlike natural, porous materials such as wood (which can feature fissures or grooves that harbour moisture or bacteria) HDPE resists mould and rotting as well as most strong mineral acids and naturally occurring chemicals. HDPE is also easily recyclable, helping to keep non-biodegradable waste out of landfill.

Our freestanding play panels are also accompanied by a selection of sustainably sourced supporting posts, including recycled plastic, galvanised metal, and timber. As with HDPE, these enjoy a far longer lifespan due to their environmental resistance (with none of the rotting, cracking, or splitting that may come with traditional timber posts), and they also help to reduce non-biodegradable landfill waste.

Our HDPE is covered by a lifetime warranty against non-structural failure due to faulty workmanship or materials.

Glulam

Our Treetops multi-play equipment is well-known for its naturalistic aesthetic, with striking wooden support beams bringing an eye-catching look to the entire range.

These are constructed from Glued Laminated (Glulam) Larch, a structurally engineered wood comprised of layers of dimensioned lumber, bonded together with durable, moisture-resistant structural adhesives.

Our well-established supplier of Glulam is based very locally to our factory in West Yorkshire, reducing freight emissions – and as with all of our materials, Glulam’s great durability minimises waste and the need for replacement in the long term. Its design delivers greater dimensional stability than that of whole log sections, with no shakes, twisting or warping, and all Glulam beams within the Treetops range have an oblique cut top to prevent water ingress, as well as galvanized steel shoes to protect the base of each post from the elements.

As well as having no known negative environmental effects, repairability of Glulam is high, and once it reaches the end of its natural life, it can be repurposed as an excellent biofuel.

Our Glulam is covered by a 15-year warranty against structural strength.

Timber

Timber is an essential material in our work, used primarily in our naturalistic Orchard range – and we strive to ensure not only that it is sustainably sourced, but smartly applied to ensure maximum longevity.

Our certified supplier handles slow grown pine logs derived from strictly controlled sources, either through government body approved felling licences or forest/woodland management plans. They also encourage the recycling of their products during manufacturing, with all wastage repurposed – including in a local biomass plant that produces electricity and heat.

The timber we purchase for use in our Orchard posts has been pressure treated against wet rot, dry rot and insect infestation, carried out after it has been cut and drilled (ensuring the coverage of all exposed timber). It has also been preservative pressure-treated with high-quality Tanalith 9000, which is proven at providing unrivalled protection.

A UK-sourced aluminium protective shoe maintains the timber above ground level, protecting the base of each post throughout its lifetime, and side ventilation holes allow the posts to breathe and stay dry. At the other end, a special rubber cap completely seals the post top, preventing moisture from entering the top grain.

Our Timber is covered by a 15-year warranty against structural strength.