The play area at King George V Playing Field in Drayton had become dated and lacking in exciting play opportunities when the Parish Council began the search for an experienced play company to overhaul the site. They sought a partner that possessed an excellent understanding of modern, dynamic play which would engage the community, and whose equipment would be economical for the council to maintain in the future.
Following our submission of initial concept designs and a shortlisting process, it was decided that our extensive expertise and exciting plans for the site made us an ideal choice. We were thus awarded the contract to complete the project, and have the site opened in time for King Charles III’s Coronation on 6th May, 2023.
Meeting the Challenge
King George V Playing Field is located in the heart of the community, and is a busy destination due to its central location. The finished play space therefore needed to be exciting, accessible, inclusive, and feature play opportunities for all ages and abilities, providing somewhere safe and dependable for children to play and socialize.
We undertook a thorough site survey and carefully studied the brief in order to bring to life the council’s vision of a much-needed flagship play space. Having our own UK-based design and manufacturing facilities even meant we could successfully meet a late challenge after the Council decided to extend the area of the new site. We displayed great flexibility in adapting to the new plans, and were proud to deliver a rejuvenated play area in time for a fabulous grand opening! We were also thrilled that the sun smiled on us as we provided an array of Coronation-themed freebies to local children, and witnessed local families giving the brand-new equipment at King George V Playing Field their very own royal seal of approval.
Something for Everyone
Our finished installation is full of colour, excitement and fun, packed with 19 of our best pieces of equipment from our standard ranges, offering maximum play value and robustly constructed kit for the long term. Play activities available include climbing, sliding, balancing, crawling, swinging, rotating, bouncing, imaginative and sensory play, and social/educational play.
The most eye-catching feature is a centrepiece Climber for All multiplay unit – bringing a striking aesthetic with its standout tutti-frutti colour scheme, this powerhouse inclusive frame provides six different ways to climb, and can accommodate almost 40 users.
Bouncing and spinning are also in plentiful supply with our inground trampoline and inclusive roundabout; the former offers fantastic jumping fun without taking up excess space as it is built inground, whilst the latter likewise offers compactness with an inground design, and can fit a centrally positioned wheelchair.
Children can also spin with our Whirlybob Roundabout, and swing for the skies with our 2.4m High Swing with 2 Bumper Seats, our Pod Seat, and a 1.2m inclusive Nest seat designed to accommodate children with greater accessibility requirements. Meanwhile colourful play panels, including ‘Flower Explorer’ and ‘Tumble Turn’, offer opportunities for sound, touch and sense educational play, whilst our Cableway with ramp provides hours of airborne fun.
The new space truly caters for everyone, too, with a huge selection of our Agility outdoor fitness apparatus alongside the play equipment, including a Ladder Wall, Chin Up Bar, Hand Over Hand, a Balance Beam and Stepping Pods, meaning a healthier community for all. Accessibility has also been considered, with a SUDS-compliant accessible path from the car park to the new play space and seating, and the area fenced off and finished with two hydraulic self-closing gates.
Exceeding Expectations
Sarah Hawken, Parish Clerk for Drayton Parish Council, said: ‘After the Council met with an experienced and personable representative from Sutcliffe Play, they submitted a design which was favoured by the public, and the new play area was professionally installed and completed perfectly to coincide with the King’s Coronation.
The feedback from the public has been wholly positive, complementing the variety of the equipment chosen, quality and appearance. Thank you to Sutcliffe Play for supporting us, and providing an inclusive, safe, dynamic and stimulating play area which can be enjoyed for many years to come.’
In short, we worked very constructively with the Council to deliver a transformed play area which also caters for adults and older children with added fitness options. Packed with a great variety of our durable, low maintenance equipment, the finished product is sure to provide a fantastic inclusive destination for local families in the coming years and beyond!
