Zingo bursts to life in Bromley
On Friday 1st August, Bromley Council celebrated the opening of the new Zingo children’ play area at Croydon Road Recreation Ground.
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The play area was formally opened by two Councillors, marked by a ribbon cutting ceremony; Councillor Peter Dean is the ward member for Kelsey & Eden Park, Councillor Sarah Phillips is ward member for Clock House and is also one of the Directors of the Friends of the Park and has followed the scheme from the start.
The Councillors were joined by local children who were very excited with the new play area, on the opening day children came in vast numbers to play on the new equipment and were vocal in their delight with it.
The launch event was orchestrated and attended by equipment manufacturers SMP (Playgrounds) Ltd in conjunction with Bromley Council. SMP were represented by Liz Bright and Martin Potts, Bromley Council representatives included Andy Biggs from the Environment and Leisure Services department who had designed and lead the project. Contractors Valley Landscapes also attended to see the children enjoying the finished scheme.
Bromley Council decided to dedicate space next to their popular existing play area and paddling pool to create a playing space specifically for young children. The outcome works wonders, with shading from a large chestnut tree, colourful and playful fencing to keep toddlers secure and bright interactive equipment and surfacing for young children to enjoy exploring.
Zingo is the latest innovation from play equipment designer SMP (Playgrounds) and Bromley Council were pleased to be seen leading the way in providing the latest outdoor play opportunities for young children. The development of Zingo follows an in-depth study by SMP and leading child psychologist into how young children play with structural forms as well as interact with their peers and parents through play. Zingo offers kids opportunities to develop physical, social and cogitative skills, practicing natural activities in a safe environment such as decision-making and risk taking which contribute to the development of everyday life skills. The signature ‘play bubbles’ encourage young children to play creatively.
The Zingo’s most striking feature is the teardrop shaped Play bubble. This is designed to stimulate the child’s senses and imagination using various sounds, movements and actions, the intended message being: what are you going to do with this? Sit on it? Climb through it? Shake it? Kick it? Spin it? Wobble it? Bounce it? Listen to it (rattles)? It’s up to you…..
Children playing on Zingo are encouraged to use many different physical skills, from the gross motor skills needed in climbing and running to the more finite movements required in the interaction with play panels. Zingo is available in a variety of formats, ranging from the Zingo Du climbing structure which features 12 different play themes, through to single Bubbles which can either spin or bounce or are just fixed securely and don’t move.
The system is supplied as standard in a Blueberry or Apple colour.
Martin Potts, SMP’s Area Manager for London, was on hand to discuss the recent work, he comments “The range of Zingo products used at Croydon Road Rec offers so many features and lots of benefits for the kids, the parents and the playground operators, Bromley Council; it’s great to see everyone enjoying themselves here today.” Andy Biggs, the designer and project manager at the Council says “I’m really pleased with the end result; the new Zingo play activities really compliment the existing playground and add to the appeal for families visiting this park. It looks so fun and inviting and the kids are obviously loving it.”
Learn more about SMP (Playgrounds) visit: www.smp.co.uk