Catering for the Community

Client Background
Kinoulton Parish Council had a budget of £20,000 to spend on refurbishing the run down and out of date equipment at Kinoulton Primary School Play Area. The timber based play equipment that was no longer being used by the children of Kinoulton needed updating to bring it in line with the needs of the community as a whole. It had taken the Parish Council five long years to reach an agreement with the County Council in order for the replacement to take place.

The majority of the funding was provided by Kinoulton Parish Council with a donation from the Parent Teacher Friend Association (PTFA) at the school to ensure the best equipment could be sourced.

Project Brief
Kinoulton Parish wanted to provide an area that could not only accommodate the school children in the day but could also be used by other members of the community in the evenings. It was felt by the council that the best way to achieve this was through the use of a large and varied multiplay unit that could cater for a number of users at one time.
Kinoulton is rich with wildlife, trees, fields and green features and it was felt that this should be reflected in the play equipment. As the school is centrally located it was therefore important that the equipment chosen complimented the natural and pretty surroundings of the village itself.

Design Solution
Several play equipment companies were invited to submit design briefs to the school and parish for consultation and discussion. At consultation the staff and children at Kinoulton primary school unanimously agreed that the best design solution was presented by local play equipment company Proludic Ltd.

Both the Parish Council & the school felt that Proludic offered the best variety and choice in their scheme. Proludic could also offer the option of timber posts on the exciting units chosen, which meant the equipment could still be innovative and contemporary without straying from the picturesque village surroundings.

Proludic chose to design a project which included a Vivacity multiplay unit, flat seat swings, balancing trail, curvy paths and grass mat safety surfacing.

The Play Equipment
The Vivacity multiplay unit is ideal for large group and social play as it is designed for children aged between 4-10 years and can accommodate over 15 children using it at one time. The design of the Vivacity equipment range is fundamentally inspired by village and house design and the relationships with the natural surroundings, which is perhaps why it met the needs of Kinoulton so well.

  

The unit consists of 3 large decks, a climbing net and wall, swinging steps, a sloping catwalk, 2 curved climbing ladders, a traditional slide and the torrent. All of these features are ideal for developing the strength and dexterity of children.
The use of palm trees in the equipment range itself encourages the development of imagination and creativity within children, which is perfect for a school environment.

Outcome
Since its installation in August 2007 the playground has been a huge success. After five long and frustrating years, the children of Kinoulton and all those involved in the project can now be proud of what has been achieved.
Jon Gladstone, Parish Councillor for Kinoulton commented: “The children of Kinoulton are delighted with the new play equipment and it continues to be used and adored to its full potential”.

The children were so pleased with the results of the playground that they even wrote numerous letters to the Parish Council exclaiming their pleasure and appreciation of the new equipment.

Jon Gladstone who has been involved in the partnership with Proludic since the beginning, commented that he would not hesitate to recommend Proludic to other Parishes who are seeking new, exciting and affordable playground equipment for their play areas.

Learn more about Proludic visit   www.proludic.com

The Association of Play Industries Federation House Stoneleigh Park Warwickshire CV8 2RF

T +44(0) 24 76 414999 ext 208
F +44(0) 24 76 414990
E api@api-play.org