Inspiring Local Playground at Sydney Place in Crewe
Explore the potential of your local playground with creative design and a unique approach to play! PlaySmart is proud of new project inspiring creative play alongside Proludic’s play equipment at David Wilson Homes’ development.
“This project is a great example of collaboration and creativity, delivering a high-quality, inclusive natural play space that reflects Crewe’s heritage while meeting the needs of a growing community.
– Tanya Wilsher (Proludic Key Account Manager)
Working within Local Council Requirements
Sydney Place is a new development in Crewe under the jurisdiction of Cheshire East Council. As a trusted local authority playground supplier in the UK, PlaySmart has extensive experience delivering council-standard playgrounds. Our playgrounds meet key standards for safety, accessibility, sustainability, and long-term maintenance.
PlaySmart has worked with local, parish, city, and county councils for many years. We understand the requirements and needs of council playgrounds. Our team has strong relationships with clerks and managers across the country. We provide clear development processes for quoting, planning, installation, and aftercare.
A Local Equipped Area of Play (LEAP) provides a space for independent play at least 20 metres from nearby homes in an open space under 1000 square metres. Due to limited space, we class the Sydney Place Play Area as a LEAP despite the fact that it offers a greater than average level of play value for a LEAP.
Local councils often have specific requirements in addition to the basic classification of LEAP. This can include accessibility, environmental regulations, prescribed provision for infants or older people, and height requirements for equipment.
In developing this play area, PlaySmart and our equipment partner, Proludic, followed these requirements. This created a space that fits perfectly within the local area. It also sets up the new community for success.
Working with Playground Equipment Companies
Working in partnership with Proludic helped us design playgrounds that reflect the character of the area while providing durable play equipment for the new local playground. They chose their wooden play equipment range as the best way to improve site sustainability. It also creates a unique experience in the area.
To match the town market and train themed play equipment, our team used our RubbaSmart wetpour. They created green fields and red and white train tracks. This added to the area’s story by recalling its history.
The safety surfacing was chosen and installed to match the critical fall height (CFH) requirements of the play towers, slides and swings installed by Proludic. RubbaSmart can provide up to 3m at a 140mm installation depth on 100mm MOT Type One Base or Tarmac.
Designing for Local Identity
The new housing development aimed to become part of the local area, and represent Crewe’s heritage and history throughout. A key part of our work with local councils is giving them tools to show a unique identity. This applies to every part of a shared space, even the flooring.
The design of the playground highlights Crewe’s iconic railway station and historic town markets, which are key elements of local heritage. In a colourful take on these local features, PlaySmart used colour and pattern to create a vibrant track. It runs through a field, where Proludic’s large wooden train set sits.
This project shows how design can shape a sense of place for local communities. It also encourages fun and physical activity. Playgrounds like Sydney Place are valuable to educate young people about their locality and celebrate what makes their home different.
Why was Wetpour Chosen?
To help this playground design last and add value to the housing development, we used RubbaSmart wetpour surfacing. We also used virgin EPDM rubber granules. The rubber colour and the material-to-binder ratio help the surface keep its colour for its full lifespan. It will not fade or produce black carbon residue.
PlaySmart provides a 5-year product and 3-year installation guarantee on our RubbaSmart wetpour installations. This means that your surfacing will look good as new and provide top notch safety for years to come.
Additionally, RubbaSmart is vandal-resistant as a tough material installed in solid layers that are not easily destroyed. The layers of protection in place mean any damage will be superficial. It will not affect the surface’s overall integrity.
Inspired? Good! Get in Touch to Start your own Journey towards your Perfect Playground!
If you are wondering how to update your local park playground, projects like Sydney Place show how thoughtful design and durable surfacing can transform a community space.
Discuss your options today with our experts by booking a call or get your Free Quick Quote with our handy contact form.
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