NEW wooden play equipment now available
Sutcliffe Play has launched a new range of environmentally friendly wooden play equipment which encourages physical, challenging play and social interaction.
Orchard, a new range of wood-based clamber units and trim trails, has been designed to fulfil many of the developmental needs of children from the ages of 6-14 years old.
“When designing Orchard, we have carefully considered the ways in which children interact with play equipment,” says Dave Brady, Design Director at Sutcliffe Play. “For example, children like to have their own social spaces, and equipment that challenges them and can help to improve their balance, strength and coordination.
“Sutcliffe Play’s expertise in play has enabled us to create a range of high quality equipment which provides exciting, appealing play opportunities for children whilst facilitating their development in physical strength and social interaction.”
Orchard is suitable for a wide range of ages and abilities, and encourages inclusive play. As well as providing exciting play opportunities for able-bodied children, many of the products in the range also incorporate a range of challenges for children who have more difficulty accessing play.
Orchard is manufactured in a sustainable, environmentally friendly way. It is constructed from pine logs which are farmed locally from UK forests in a managed process which ensures the forests are consistently replenished. The rubber components are made from latex which is extracted from trees without damaging them.
Orchard’s natural appearance also allows it to blend aesthetically into outdoor play spaces.
Close attention to detail has ensured that Orchard is ideal for withstanding the outdoor environment. The posts feature rubber ‘hats’ and aluminium ‘shoes’ to protect the wood from the elements, and the timber is treated against wet rot, dry rot and insect infestation. The rope used is steel cored and extremely strong.
Sutcliffe Play has also developed a unique joining system for the logs, made of rubber with a steel core which provides a strong connection. The system also spaces the logs slightly apart, which eliminates the possibility of fingers getting trapped between them.
The whole range is manufactured in Yorkshire in Sutcliffe Play’s environmentally-friendly factory, where the company’s impact on the local surroundings is carefully monitored to ensure it is kept at a minimum.
