Rochford District Council tasked us with updating their existing popular playground ‘Hockley Woods’, incorporating more natural timber play equipment to add a seamless blend into its surroundings and increase the play value of the site.
After a detailed consultation with the client, we began selecting equipment to perfectly match the brief. As the playground’s existing equipment was to remain on the site and be incorporated into the final design, careful considerations were made to make sure none of the equipment was duplicated, ensuring the best possible experience for its users.
The new equipment proposed was sympathetic to the natural surroundings, with new play surfacing in earthy tones to seamlessly blend with the equipment and nature. Using rubber bonded mulch surfacing reduces the long-term maintenance cost of topping up loose-fill play bark pits.
Every effort was made to ensure that the new play area was not only inclusive but accessible too. As experts in inclusive play, we created a thoughtful design using the best inclusive equipment to fit the space, ensuring there remained enough room for users to navigate the playground safely.
One of the main features of the brief was to add some much needed play value back into this playground. To ensure these needs were met, we carefully selected a range of equipment that offered a variety of play options that also tapped into inclusivity, accessibility and with timber features.
Our Treetops Mangrove is the standout equipment included in this renovation. A huge 3m tunnelled slide cocooned with a timber structure makes it fun for children and appealing for passers-by. Other features on the lower deck include a sloped climbing wall and a ramp starting station for a 12m long cableway.
Tangle Trail is another key piece of equipment offering play that is both challenging and fun. The layout of the trail encourages children to navigate the route, walking across timber beams and balancing on slender stepping stones. Children can thrive on a sense of accomplishment once they’ve successfully mastered the Tangle Trail, offering endless fun and play value.
Rochford Council commented: “We wanted to expand on the popular playground at Hockley Woods by including more accessible equipment which also didn’t detract from the beautiful, wooded surroundings. Sutcliffe Play fulfilled our brief perfectly; we couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome.”