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Our Landscape Construction Division has been involved in the construction of children's
playgrounds for local councils, pre schools and other organisations. These playgrounds comprise a combination of lawn, garden and play areas and equipment, as well as barbecue facilities, picnic tables and shade structures designed for the individual sites. Further, we have worked alongside various artists, installing sculptures which give a design flare to each of these playgrounds. These playgrounds provide a relaxing atmosphere for the family.  STRATEGIES FOR PLAY SPACES Written by Mr Ian Jackson Landscape Architect |
| In recent years, a number of playground designers have emerged with a positive
and imaginative outlook towards the provision of stimulating play spaces that cater for the needs of children of
various age groups and their carers. With a bit of lateral thinking (and thinking like a child) the following strategies
are being employed: Limiting the height of fixed play equipment to minimise safety surfacing requirements. Children often derive the same pleasure from similar equipment on ground level. Blending equipment into the rest of the playground with mounding and planting. |
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Providing equipment that enables the children to use their imagination and
develop their social skills, e.g. cubby houses, sitting areas, bridges and decks. Not installing any fixed play
equipment in some sites. Creating a variety of play experiences, e.g. play areas, bicycle paths, walking tracks, secret gardens. Catering for the needs of carers, e.g. shade, seating, bubblers, picnic areas, and landscaping. Using artistic elements to achieve a unique flavour for the site. Creating natural play experiences with rocks, planted areas, dry creeks. |
| In the playgrounds where these strategies have been used, the children are provided with a stimulating environment in which they have the choice of a number of different experiences, and their carers are relaxed, comforted by the knowledge that their wards are safe and happy. Its heartening to see that the providers of playgrounds are becoming more aware of the potential of their sites and are engaging specialist designers to assist them through the minefield of rules and regulations in order to create stimulating and challenging play spaces. Local Councils are beginning to develop playground hierarchies and are concentrating their efforts on district and regional parks where healthy budgets allow the designers to let their imagination's run wild. Kindergartens and child care centres are putting many hours of research into their sites and many have achieved rewarding results, often on 'shoestring budgets'. Schools are also steering away from the traditional 'monkey bars' atop asphalt paving and creating natural play environments that double as environmental education areas. With the right attitude, the outlook will be positive. |
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