As part of East Lothian Council’s (ELC) ongoing commitment to park regeneration and development, Jupiter Play were contacted to work with ELC to create a new and innovative play experience within a Victorian walled garden in Dunbar that would offer adventure and excitement. Careful consideration had to be given to the location and all potential users.
Jupiter Play submitted several revisions of their original design in order to meet the requirements of the area and the client. Whilst the park was to be suitable for all, ELC felt that equipment specifically designed for, in particular, wheelchair users was not beneficial for all concerned – children with disabilities don’t generally want equipment which singles them out as different. A variety of elements were added, integrated within the park, which would be particularly suitable for different abilities, but which were not exclusively for disabled use.
As the park was to cater for a wide age range of children each area was clearly defined from the other. We decided to theme and colour-coordinate each area. The surfacing used was chosen to help define the different areas; to add a further play function and also to ensure ease of access for wheelchairs and push chairs.
The toddlers sand play area is brightly coloured and very tactile and beside it a water play area with an ocean theme includes a Calypso play boat and Dippy dolphin springer.This area was surfaced with blue wetpour with shark graphics for added excitement!
A wobbly bridge connects the water play area with the Junior area which has a ‘treehouse’ Kanope unit in it for a real forest feel. A space net provided a very popular focal point for the whole park. This area was surfaced with a dark loosefill.
The Senior area contains many pieces from our exciting, dynamic range of moving equipment which appeals greatly to older children because of the difficult and challenging elements it contains. This includes a cableway, an IXO multi-play unit with climbing wall and the ever popular ‘roll up’ aerial roundabout. The senior area was surfaced with a light-coloured loosefill which ties in with the modern wood, metal and bright green of this equipment. Stockading was used to define areas and add interest, giving another play element and visually ‘finishing’ the park.
Since Lauderdale Park’s installation in 2002, ELC have won the Nancy Ovens Trust Inaugural Award for the best Design of a Play Experience. The awards were launched in 2004 to recognise the most stimulating and interesting children’s play projects in Scotland.
ELC’s initial aims to provide a play experience that was truly inclusive and adventurous has been successfully met in the final design, with 95% of respondents to their Customer Satisfaction Survey carried out during the summer of 2003 rating the play area as either very good or excellent. The play area was an essential element of the improvements to Lauderdale Park, which together with the new planting and seating (from Proludic’s Neotu range) has made the park a place to be enjoyed by people of all ages.
Jenny Templeman,
Marketing Manager
jtempleman@jupiterplay.co.uk 0131 445 7989
