It’s a beautifully unique visitor experience and has been created with a total sense of place and a level of quality in its design, craftsmanship and construction like no other.
The finished play is the result of five years of meticulous planning and development, but when we say it’s accessible for everyone, we mean it. It’s been created for multi-generational families to play and explore together – whatever their ability and can only be experienced in this unique location.
From a sustainability perspective, the vast majority of the timber used in the build was taken from fallen trees within the wider Estate and seasoned over 3-4 years. Having to pre-plan the amount of timber required, prior to the design being completed, did take a lot of careful consideration but ensured we minimised the amount of timber needing to be brought in from other sites.
Accessible to All
But the real success story of the play area is its accessibility and appeal to all ages and abilities, promoting intergenerational play from grandchildren, through parents to grandparents, and beyond. It was said from the outset that it’s not just the trees that grow here.
Throughout the main Treehouse there are sensory experiences where children can scatter leaves and spot creatures on the Woodland floor and there’s a quiet woodland chill out room if it all gets too much.
The route to the play, contains even more play
In many so called ’accessible’ play areas, the ramp up is just that. A ramp. Where’s the fun in that, unless you’re Evel Knievel?
The winding walkways that take you into the trees and the higher level play platforms also lead you into an accessible rope bridge. This allows wheelchair users that same experience of a wobbly rope bridge in a woodland environment as their able bodied playmates. After crossing the rope bridge, there’s our specially designed companion slide, where, alongside their carers, they can easily climb on and off.
It’s our experience that play is always better together. Children don’t see disabilities, only opportunities to play with new people. With this in mind, we have designed opportunities to interact through play everywhere throughout the play structures.
Understanding risk
Whether children want to climb among the trees or explore the amazing giant acorns in the lower-level courtyard area, parents and carers can be entirely present, feeding their imagination and helping their confidence grow. This is play like it used to be before kids were wrapped in cotton wool and computer games dominated the playscape – getting close to nature, challenging their ability to take risks and naturally stimulating their senses.
We created three levels of adventure within the play structures; small and nimble (Mouse), natural climber (Squirrel), bold & brave (Owl) within the attraction and used intricate carvings to denote the different routes.
The ultimate objective is to maximise play value and a sense of challenge for users of all abilities, yet remove hazards in a challenging environment; being careful not to sanitise the experience too much because a playground without carefully managed risk that allows children of all abilities to push themselves, is not a playground at all.
Looking after the details
Every last detail, from the smallest carving to the grandest treehouse, was carefully considered in order to add layers to the accessible visitor experience – the rush of sliding deck to deck (a world first in a commercial play area), coupled with the uniquely designed accessible interactive elements, superbly accessible toilet facilities, naturally shaded seating areas, and a suitably themed F&B offering, combine to ensure a visit will live long in the memories of the families who explore together.
Partners:
- Client Accessibility Consultant – Earnscliffe
- 7 x 19 Building Adventure Ltd – Suspended Walkways
- DJ Willrich Ltd – Interactive Projection and Control System
- DJ Willrich Ltd – Media Content
- Percussion Play Ltd – Play Elements
- Online Playgrounds Ltd – Play Elements
- Fairwater Ltd – Water Features
- DCM Surfaces Ltd – Groundworks
- Massey Harris Ltd – Steelwork and Slide Manufacture and Installation
- RoSPA – Play Inspection Consultant
- Huck Nets Ltd – Play Nets
CAP.CO acted as Principal Contractor on the project, on behalf of our client, Savill Garden, The Crown Estate