The initial brief for Stonefield Park was to produce a play area aimed at children 6 years and older. The area was to be free access and fully inclusive, whilst having synergy with the ongoing regeneration within Stonefield Park. The equipment deployed had to be contemporary and dynamic whilst recognising issues concerning vandalism in urban play parks. The modern design of the equipment and the variety of safety surfaces underpinned the design concept.
Jupiter Play & Leisure Ltd designed a contemporary flowing play area which harmonized with the park environment. Local school children collaborated with artists to create sculptures that were placed throughout the park. Jupiter Play’s designer then worked with the sculptor to ensure materials and details from the artwork were incorporated within the play area. Steel and stone were used as elements within the play area to give a contemporary look, have anti-vandalism properties and facilitate ease of maintenance whilst relating to the proposed sculptures.
Simple, understated use of colour in surfacing reflects the modern design, whilst some of the play equipment was specified to introduce abstract shapes, both mirroring the sculpture forms. Other play equipment was specified to embody local attractions and characters, giving the effect of a play area with a sense of being integrated within the community and unique to the locality, i.e. David Livingstone Centre.
The play area was also designed to flow smoothly and this was outlined by the use of the yin/yang symbol to indicate completeness and balance. Different surfaces (wetpour, play matta, coated tarmac and grassmatt) were used to add a sensory element, whilst creating distinctions between areas and offering additional play value within each area.
After award, South Lanarkshire Council and Jupiter Play & Leisure Ltd worked closely together. Facilitated by an increased budget, made available to South Lanarkshire Council, the target age was increased to include toddlers, resulting in a redesign of the play area whilst retaining the synergy created by the yin/yang central area. The design process was a team endeavor involving close liaison between South Lanarkshire Council and the design team from Jupiter Play & Leisure Ltd. This combined effort was key to meeting the timescale target of the Easter holiday window and the ultimate success of the project.
The result was a fully inclusive play space for children aged from 2 to 16 years with challenging equipment providing a dynamic play experience throughout the flowing design of the space.
Jenny Templeman,
Marketing Manager
jtempleman@jupiterplay.co.uk 0131 445 7989
