Project Portfolio
Play and Open Spaces Strategy
The new approach to play and open space was initiated by the Department for Children Schools and Families (DCSF), CABE and Play England. This movement is centred on a 'step-change' thinking, creating playable open spaces rather than the underused, prescriptive, railing corralled play space: the LAPs, LEAPs and NEAPs. The new ideas allow a significant improvement in play provision, adding value by ensuring more imaginative play opportunities in a wider area, affording a more exciting public realm and open space layout and appearance. A further benefit is achieved through lower maintenance cost and fewer claims for injury and compensation.
The open space will provide a range of opportunities for relaxation, socialising, informal recreation and children's play, whilst enhancing the visual amenity of the public realm and biodiversity.
The bespoke design of play space aims to integrate and enhance each open space area through the use of landscape, natural play features and art. The aim is to minimise the use of standard manufactured play equipment and safety surfacing through a site-specific design-led approach therefore playable areas will not limited to the enclosed spaces with play equipment, but will become a part of the wider concept unified by ground art. Each play space will be designed specifically for its location, with equipment and other features enhanced by the landscape setting.
Combinations of natural features including stone boulders, wood and ground modelling with integrated play features (eg. tunnels) will encourage play activities such as balancing, running, jumping, climbing, crawling and exploring. Rather than being prescriptive equipment, natural features will create opportunities for innovative, explorative, imaginative and challenging play and allow children of different ages and abilities to play together in different ways. Natural play aims to put play in the control of children and encourage inclusiveness, imagination and creativity. The use of dynamic natural materials and planting will provide visual interest for children, while enhancing opportunities for learning.
Play spaces will be integrated into the wider communal area, with planting, changes to surface materials or levels providing physical and spatial definition. All communal gardens will be dog free spaces. Careful consideration will be given to flexibility, durability and long-term maintenance.
All play areas will be designed to be challenging, but risk will be carefully assessed and managed. To ensure safety, all play areas will be subject to an independent post-installation inspection using a certified inspector (Register of Playground Inspectors Installation or similar).
