Kensington and Chelsea youngsters play in their natural habitat
The ancient trees in Holland Park have witnessed many
changes. Where Wordsworth and Lord Bryon once walked as
houseguests of the Earl of Holland, today the children of this
leafy London Borough make their own poetry in motion in a verdant
playground away from the bustle of the busy city.
Conserving this lush little oasis was the key to a new play area
specifically designed for the younger age group. With a
conservation order on every tree in the park it was imperative for
its creators, Wicksteed Playscapes to preserve the natural
habitat.
With a budget of £80,000, jointly funded by Transport
& Leisure Services and Family & Children’s Services,
the Wicksteed team had to sensitively landscape the playground
around each tree whilst also taking into consideration a natural
grassy slope upon which the whole area is set.
“We wanted to retain the green and natural elements at
all costs,” says Jeremy Plester, from Royal Borough of
Kensington and Chelsea’s Transport and Leisure Services.
“To us, a grassed area was crucial because it allows people
to interact with the children in their care rather than be tempted
to ‘just drop them off’ and sit somewhere
else.”
This specially commissioned natural play area allows little
explorers to have fun among the trees whilst climbing, swinging and
sliding on all the imaginative and challenging equipment in
between.
“The original play place was always extremely popular,
but it suffered serious wear and tear,” says Jeremy.
“We have been able to dramatically improve the facilities for
the younger kids with this adventurous play land and it has blended
seamlessly into the landscape around it.”
Even peacocks, which freely roam the ground, find this place a
haven and can be seen strutting their stuff among the park goers on
a regular basis.
Learn more about Wicksteed visit: www.wicksteed.co.uk