How to create playgrounds that stimulate

Contractors Bartholomew Landscaping, winner of a prestigious 2011 BALI (British Association of Landscape Industries) National Landscape Award for the design and construction of the playground, explain the journey from head teacher’s vision to an invaluable community resource.

In the summer of 2009, when Bartholomew Landscaping was appointed design and build contractors for the English Martyrs Primary School playground project, head teacher Anne Boyd and her staff knew they wanted a playground with a ‘wow’ factor – something of which she and the school community could be proud.

The existing playground was a typically dull and unprepossessing space with no play structures, bland tarmac, high walls, an under-used nature garden cum planting area, and a derelict toilet block.

The playground and associated classrooms are separated from the main school building by a road and public footpaths and the playground is, therefore, by necessity also an arrival and departure space for the children and their parents. This meant that shelter and seating areas large enough to accommodate large groups of people were also a prerequisite of the design.

Democratic design
Following a visit to the school, during which the teachers’ wish lists were received and some of the children described what their ideal play area would look like, initial concept ideas were presented to the head teacher for her consideration and further input.

The government’s Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Framework requires that playgrounds should be more natural, inspirational spaces, creating interesting and exciting features that help children play, and providing them with additional access to the six stated areas of learning:

•    Personal, social and emotional development
•    Communication – language and literacy
•    Problem solving
•    Understanding the world
•    Physical development
•    Creative development

The playground at English Martyrs School is used by up to 120 Key Stage 2 children between the ages of seven and nine. The new design had to provide enough retained open space for cycling practice as the area had an established use for formal cycling lessons. In addition, opening up the existing wildlife and planting areas by the removal of the old toilet block, fencing and walls would provide access to this particular area of the playground at all times. Retaining as much as possible of the existing planting would be key to the design, as would the inclusion of additional seasonal planting to encourage wildlife and mini beasts, and a new pond, positioned away from the boundary wall. The area dedicated to educational planting was to be increased and relocated.

The school wanted the playground to include off-the-peg play equipment selected to promote co-ordination and improve upper body strength, a stage to encourage role play and informal performances, and the use of natural materials with different colours and textures.

The head teacher was happy with Bartholomew Landscaping’s proposals and the design team then visited the school and introduced themselves to the pupils and staff in an extended assembly. The announcement that the school would be having a new playground and that the pupils would be very much involved with the design process created an instant buzz of excitement.

Each class that would be using the playground was then visited by the design team during special lessons to find out what the children liked to do during playtime. Emphasis was placed on the understanding that everyone wants something slightly different and that there should be areas for quiet contemplation, study and talking, as well as active play. Blank plans were given to each child and they were then encouraged to put forward their own ideas by preparing lists and drawings of what they would like to see. The range of ideas was diverse and inspirational with the favourites being a tree house, a slide, and the opportunity for underground play with tunnels and caves. An initial idea to link the two parts of the school with an aerial tramway or roller coaster was ‘parked’ at this stage in the process.

The children’s ideas were incorporated into the final design and detailed plans and a 3D model prepared. Two weeks later Bartholomew Landscapes presented these to the children in the form of a ‘fly through’ movie on a giant screen during a special assembly. The children’s reaction was overwhelming and the designers had to stop their presentation and just let the movie do the talking.

It was important to the school that the children’s enthusiasm was maintained and work on the playground was started as soon as possible a couple of weeks before the Christmas holidays. Bartholomew Landscaping carefully demolished the toilet block and fenced off the areas during the works so that the school could maintain safe access across the site and continue to operate normally.

Design elements
Throughout the playground elegant curves and circles of paving in brick, natural stone, coloured safety surfacing and resin bound gravel in contrasting colours were introduced. The different textures provide immediate interest. Paths were laid to meander throughout the playground linking the various spaces and so encourage flowing movement and imaginative play. Using these techniques to define key areas a range of spaces was created for both active play and for quieter social interaction and study.

In the centre of the playground the main feature, comprising a raised deck with associated mounding and a play house, has been located around existing trees. The space under the deck is large enough to provide shelter and encourage interaction. Waste material from the excavations was used to create the large grass covered mound with a tunnel running through it and a large clear Perspex viewing dome in the centre. This feature helps to divide the playground into two distinct areas and protects the planting and wildlife areas from the intensive play in the main activity area.

The deck and tree house are accessed via steps on top of the mound and stepping stones leading from the nature area. A double width stainless steel slide enables a quick route down and adds to the fun. In order to encourage physical play the school selected the stork’s nest piece of play equipment supplied by Lappset and this was located in the main area of safety play that extends under the deck.

The use of natural products and materials has greatly enhanced the space. An amphitheatre for summer classes was constructed using timber log rounds in-filled with safety surfacing. Leading on from this is a new meadow lawn area and ecological planting was established around the existing trees and a number of enclosed seating areas have been set into the natural planting to encourage quieter contemplation and conversation between small groups of children.

Closer to nature
A new pond with an ornate bridge and study deck have been included to encourage as much wildlife as possible and enable the children to get close to the wildlife. The safety of the children is ensured by the installation of a diamond deck plastic grid just below the water level.

It was important to ensure that there was enough space for every child to have the opportunity to do educational planting. A new, large lean-to greenhouse with extensive shelving was positioned against the south facing boundary wall. This was equipped with water butts to harvest the rainwater for use on the new plants, and compost bins to encourage recycling. The planting beds were created using log rounds, raised slightly to protect them from accidental damage. Encouraging pupils to plant their own flowers, fruits and vegetables has proved a great success.

A wooden pavilion with bespoke seating was built in a quiet corner to provide shelter from the elements and provide additional outdoor teaching space. The old bin store has been repositioned conveniently adjacent to the main entrance and is screened from the playground by a high, robust log wall. The access gate used by the parents and children at collection and drop off time is flanked by two bespoke shelters that are frequently used by the children and parents as rest areas and to shelter from the rain and sun.

The new playground is separated from the main sports activity area at one end by a castellated fence with seating and raised log beds, planted with silver birch and a selection of flowering and fragrant shrubs. Space has also been allowed within these beds for additional educational planting –an activity in which the children can take part.

The popularity of the new playground has resulted in the school carefully managing the space to allow individual classes to use this part of the playground at set times. This means smaller groups are able to enjoy it fully without the area becoming overcrowded.

The unmitigated success of the playground at English Martyr’s Primary School in Southwark has resulted in Bartholomew Landscaping designing further areas and installing a smaller reception playground at the school this year.

Bartholomew Landscaping is a member of BALI, the UK’s largest trade body for the landscape industry. Visit its website for further information, or to find designers, contractors or landscape product suppliers in your area.

For more information
www.bartholomewlandscaping.com
www.bali.org