Exciting Play with Limited Budget
The Chappel Parish Council project highlights our ability to
work with the existing features and limited budgets of an area and
bring new and exciting play elements that compliment and enhance
the natural landscape.
Client Background
Chappel Parish Council wanted to upgrade and modernise the play
facilities situated in the heart of the village, on the village
playing field. Much of the old and treasured equipment was
designed by residents almost 20 years ago so it was important to
find a company that could provide and replace this equipment for
the future generations of the village.
They had a budget of £45,000 for the project, which would be
completed in two stages. The first stage of the project would be a
junior play area with a second phase planned later on, whereby
toddler equipment would be added. The funding of £20,000 for
the first stage was donated by Colchester Borough Council under a
joint initiative with Essex County Council. Other money had been
raised by local residents who were keen to get involved with the
scheme, showing their widespread enthusiasm. The budget
for the entire project was tight and so it was important to choose
a company that could provide exciting play equipment that
wouldn’t break the bank.
Project Brief
The junior area needed to provide equipment for the junior to
teen age group, which is generally considered to be children aged
between 8-14 years.
One of the main requirements of the council was to provide safe and
stimulating equipment that was durable yet also blended into the
unique surroundings of the village. The green is set against the
backdrop of a historic and renowned viaduct that stretches across
1066ft of land and is one of the largest in the country. Therefore
the equipment chosen needed to be in touch with these natural
elements and be able to reflect the natural features.
The council liked the idea of using equipment that was movement
based yet socially interactive with its users. It was felt by the
council that this would help to integrate and involve the younger
community.
Design Solution
Proludic Ltd was chosen to manage the project, as they provided
the most innovative solutions and were totally different from other
companies. Proludic are renowned for their challenging and
versatile equipment that appeals to a range of children and
abilities. This enabled Chappel Parish Council to work with
Proludic and tailor their specific needs to the site. The
equipment used was chosen because it provides lots of movement and
stimulus, creating a natural means for improving motor and risk
management skills.
Items of equipment like the Gyro Spiral and the Roll Up are also
very effective at stimulating social interaction, allowing several
people to use the equipment at the same time.
The Ixo unit that was installed also fitted the brief in that it is
available in either metal or wooden posts. Wooden posts which
resembled slender trees were chosen for this project as it looked
contemporary in style but also complimented the natural
environment.
Junior Area
In total four pieces of equipment were used for the junior area.
One of these pieces of equipment being an Ixo multi play unit which
includes a gyro, turbo slide, incline net, rope ladder and
tower.
Alongside the Ixo were popular pieces of equipment such as the Roll
Up, Gyro Spiral and Aeroskate. One of the main benefits of all
these items is that they are inclusive to both girls and boys and
will encourage everyone to enjoy them and play together.
Proludic chose to provide a loose fill surface of wood chippings,
which not only enhances the natural play experience of the park but
could also be used as a play element in its own right. The council
liked this choice of surfacing because it was a more
environmentally friendly option that had a longer life.
The value of the equipment used totalled £23,000 which proves
that good quality play provision does not have to be expensive in
order to bring modern and challenging play facilities to an
area.
The Outcome
Since the opening of the site in the beginning of 2007, there
have been no reported issues or problems. When speaking to Nick
Ingram Councillor to the Parish, he said: “The park has
been extremely popular with lots of children using it and the
equipment has been very easy to maintain.”
Chappel Parish Council is now looking forward to the design and
installation of the second phase of development which is a toddler
area. This will compliment the junior area and complete the local
need for better play provision.
Chappel Parish Council have commented that they would not hesitate
to recommend Proludic to other parish councils who are seeking
fresh and exciting equipment on a smaller budget.
For more information visit www.proludic.com