Designing Childrens Playgrounds
Chorley takes the Challenge
A new play area has recently been opened at Astley Park in Chorley, Lancashire. The park covering 43 hectares combines parkland & ancient boundary woodland, therefore requiring a natural feel.
When designing the play area the team at Play & Leisure took in to account the natural topography and surroundings to compliment the park. Set on an undulating hill it was decided to construct a raised bark pit with equipment aimed at the 8 - 13 year olds in mind. A Vortex overhead rotator was installed with the ever popular Cantilever Basket Swing which is ideal for children of all abilities. The centrepiece was the massive Challenger unit comprising of 29 different activities enabling sliding, climbing, hanging, spinning, balancing or just lazing the day away in the hammock.
The Challenger is taken from the ever increasing popular Quest range recently introduced at Playfair 2009, at Stoneleigh Park. This is our largest activity unit to date, and colours of the equipment were altered to a metallic grey, orange & green to match the surroundings instead of the bright metallic colours usually on offer.
The play area was opened at the end of June to coincide with Picnic in the Park where a large number of local children enjoyed the day playing in the sunshine.
Mr Andy Brown - the Play Officer from Chorley B.C commented
"Having considered all the options available, this fabulous new unit gave us an unbeatable blend of play value, price and wow factor. The challenge it gives to the young people of Chorley will be enjoyed for years to come"