Barnsley Road, Hemsworth

Client: Wakefield Council

Cost: £80,000

Date: September 2025

Genre: Inclusive, Community

West End Park, on Barnsley Road in the town of Hemsworth, is a large, well-used green space located just up the road from our West Yorkshire head office. The park is within walking distance of five different schools, and was previously home to a play area. By 2025, however, this space stood empty, and Wakefield Council sought to install a vibrant new playground which would sit at the heart of the community. We were delighted to take on this project, and add to our proud record of bringing thrilling play to children on our doorstep.

Our first task was to undertake a comprehensive site survey, and use the information gained to finalise the perfect design which would reflect our client’s ambitious vision. We knew that maximising play value in the new playground would be essential, especially because of its proximity to so many local schools, and the equipment chosen would need to deliver all of the key play experiences including climbing, swinging, sliding and spinning. Our new space would also cater for children of every age, with colourful features and equipment to stimulate younger visitors, and an element of more physically challenging play to engage older children and teens.

Durability was another key requirement, as was the desire to minimise instances of anti-social behaviour. We met these requirements by selecting some of our most robust equipment, including a centrepiece metal unit, which would withstand heavy usage. The new equipment was also entirely open, with no roofs or enclosed areas, reducing opportunities for anti-social behaviour. In the same vein, we planned to install new fencing across the higher end of the space (which stands on a hill), preventing bikes from moving down the hill at speed and endangering young children.

Our final overriding focus was the inclusivity of the finished space, especially with regard to children with disabilities. As a result, the new equipment would include several specialist inclusive features, and we also used contrasting colours wherever possible (helping visually impaired children to negotiate the space), incorporated many low level access points for children with restricted mobility, and made extensive use of rubber, for a more multisensory play experience on decks, panels and handles.

We also concentrated on improving the space’s accessibility, primarily by replacing the uneven surfacing with wetpour; this would ensure level access to all of the new equipment, and connect to the existing tarmac pathways surrounding the playground. In addition, our design retained a minimum of 1.5m free space around the equipment, ensuring ample circulation space for wheelchairs, prams and pushchairs.

The play area’s layout would also be redesigned, providing children of all ages with sufficient space to develop. We would informally divide the space into two zones, reducing conflict between different ages, with the more challenging items positioned a little away from the younger-facing toddler items. However, free movement between the two areas would still be encouraged, with an open, non-fenced border between them.

As we sought to bring our design to life during the installation process, we overcame an early challenge after discovering a natural spring at the top of the hill, which meant that water was constantly trickling down to the playground. We knew that this would cause a problem when we came to install our wetpour surfacing, a situation that we headed off by digging a trench around the spring to pool the water, as well as installing an electric pump to remove it. The installation was subsequently able to proceed undeterred, and was completed on time and to a high standard.

As well as new equipment and surfacing, we also upgraded the site infrastructure, installing two new benches which allow parents and carers to rest while their children play, two new litter bins which keep the space clean and tidy, and two new signs which give the playground proper identity of its own.

Today, this formerly empty space is now home to a vibrant and diverse line-up of equipment, and it is sure to become a very popular destination for local families:

At the centre is our Four Towers Playzone unit, a large climbing frame full of play value, which challenges up to 21 junior age users at a time. Great coordination and balance are required to traverse its circuit of physical play features, including a cargo net and a rope bridge, while two ground level seats beneath the tallest tower enable children to sit and socialise. The unit also features a wide slide and numerous 1m wide square decks, giving parents/carers room to support less able users from ground level.

The other centrepiece unit is our colourful Quadrangle multi-play. This 4 tower, steel framed unit offers 18 play features to the same number of children under 5, including a stainless-steel slide, 3 shuffle decks, a mini climbing wall, and 4 play panels (3 of which are useable from outside the unit, ideal for wheelchair users). As with the Four Towers unit, the decks are not enclosed.

Nearby, a number of dynamic spinners offer children multiple ways to enjoy another classic play experience. Our eye-catching Flywheel Spinner is an exciting multiuser roundabout with a large central seating area, which can seat up to six users aged 3 and over. Its low-level access points enable side transfer from wheelchairs, and its bright yellow finish aids users with limited vision. Nearby, two single user units bring more spinning fun: our Curlicue takes the form of a simple spiral, which utilises the user’s changing centre of gravity to propel them around, while our Hula rotator roundabout is based around a suspended hoop – and it can also be used alone, which may suit children who struggle with social interaction.

Elsewhere, two new springies afford plenty of rocking fun for younger children. Our colourful, single-user Bee Springie possesses ergonomic upright rubber handles for excellent grip, and its open fronted design and padded seat deliver bouncing fun for children of all ability levels. Alongside it, our Gnome Springie, part of our brand-new Fantasy range and the first to be installed anywhere in the country, delivers the same high level of rocking fun. It features a colourful fantasy gnome character routed on one panel, while the other utilises a unique cutaway shape which offers ideal side transfer for children with limited mobility.

Children can also enjoy another staple play experience with our Pivot Seesaw, which promises perfectly balanced adventures for up to two friends. It incorporates a simple pivot point in the centre of its double steel top bar, and a HPL seat at each end with a moulded hand grip for added comfort and security. Finally, a little further away, this section of the space is completed by a pair of colourful, multi-sensory play panels – Tumble Turn and Rock Paper Scissors, both of which are sure to engage younger children with co-operative gameplay and many tactile elements.

The second zone is connected to the main area by a new SUDS Bond pathway, which ensures a smooth journey for wheelchairs, prams and pushchairs. It includes three of our extendable Modular Swing frames, with an exciting array of seats including two body-hugging Cradle Seats for younger visitors, two large Flat Seats for a more traditional experience, and an inclusive Turtle Shell Nest Seat, which allows numerous children of every ability level to experience the swinging sensation together.

Alongside this, our challenging Overhead Rotator features two handles for children to hold on to, in order to rotate the entirety of the unit. This testing equipment requires good upper body strength to operate successfully, and will test the agility, stamina and coordination of up to two children over the age of 10.

Gary Sherrington, Projects Officer for Wakefield Council, said:

‘Sutcliffe Play have been one of our principal suppliers and play equipment installers for over 30 years, and their equipment consistently proves to be among the most robust and durable on the market. They have demonstrated exceptional professionalism and reliability, and they consistently meet deadlines and deliver high-quality outcomes.

The new play area successfully targets the required age range — from early years to school-age children — and incorporates inclusive elements. It has made a significant difference to the health and wellbeing of the community, reintroducing a valued social element into the park and encouraging active outdoor play for children of all abilities.’

Working in close collaboration with Wakefield Council, this project saw us designing a thrilling new space just a short distance from our head office, which has re-energised a previously unoccupied site and delivered a broad appeal to children of every age and ability. We look forward to watching this fantastic local community continue to flourish as a result of our work in the years ahead.

Playground Equipment:

Four Towers

Four Towers

Quadrangle

Quadrangle

Flywheel Spinner

Flywheel

Curlicue

Curlicue Spinner

Bee Springie

Bee Springie

Gnome Springie

Gnome Inclusive Springie

Pivot Seesaw

Pivot Seesaw

Tumble Turn

Tumble Turn Panel

Rock Paper Scissors

Rock Paper Scissors Panel

Modular Swings

Modular Swing Set

Cradle Seat

Cradle Seat

Large Flat Seat

Large Flat Seat Black

Turtle Shell Nest Seat

Turtle Shell Nest Seat

Overhead Rotator

Overhead Rotator

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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.