Natural Play Areas

While local authorities resources have been cut back, there is still a demand for play areas from communities.

The focus of design is moving away from a sole reliance on fixed play equipment with rubber surfaces and fencing, which is all very expensive.

An alternative approach is to design for a more natural playground, with grass mounds, logs, boulders, willow tunnels, sand, water and a few pieces of fixed equipment with loose fill surfacing such as woodchips or sand.

A more natural play area has a very high play value, meets children’s needs for exposure to natural materials for fun and imagination, yet can still meet safety standards through a risk assessment and be a fraction of the cost of a conventional playground.

We are willing to work with communities and schools to locate suitable areas for developing natural play spaces and to advise on design and construction and to guide the tender process, if required. Installation advice is also available.

Richard is a Chartered landscape architect and a past president of the 'Irish Landscape Institute'. He designed the playground at Cabinteely Park in Dun Laoghaire.

Consultation with children is essential in the design of play areas and we can facilitate consultation when required.

The prime purpose of creating a more natural play space is to maximise play value and to create inspiring places for children. A risk – benefit analysis enables us to do this while still providing as much safety as is necessary.

For information on design for play see http://www.playireland.ie