"playground"

DCM Surfaces recently completed work on one of Europe’s most significant construction projects – the redevelopment of Prospect Park Playground at the legendary Battersea Power Station.Prospect Park took inspiration from the power station’s iconic chimneys and brickwork patterns and was designed to be a vision of colour. The playground features areas suitable for all ages, allowing children to discover fun new climbable elements as they age.Careys Construction was the successful bidder for the contract. Following a rigorous selection process based on quality, cost and Health and Safety, DCM Surfaces were selected to install the synthetic surfacing for the playground.As part of the redevelopment scheme, DCM installed over 500m2 of Wetpour at various depths and colours. DCM worked closely with the contractor and architect to ensure that the ground was correctly prepared before installation and that suitable Wetpour RAL colours were used to blend in with the surrounding architecture.Wetpour provided a soft, impact-absorbing layer and achieved the maximum 3m Critical Fall Height required around the timber play equipment. Eight colours of Wetpour were used with an aliphatic binder to create colourful surfaces around the play equipment area and ensure no discolouration of the play area over time.One of the critical challenges DCM faced working on the largest construction site in Europe was related to logistics. All haulage vehicles entering the area were required to be FORS Gold, and a ticketing system for the entry of deliveries often resulted in materials being held for long periods in the queuing system.Regardless of the delays in material deliveries, the installation took place within the tight time frame allocated.The Mayor of Wandsworth, who officially opened the new children’s playground, said:“I would like to congratulate all those involved in delivering this exciting outdoor space, which is a great addition to the new riverside neighbourhood created at Battersea Power Station. I’m sure many families and children from the local community will enjoy hours of fun here.”

Jacksons Fencing was enlisted to provide its RoSPA approved Metal Playtime playground fencing. The council opted to have the individual pales of the fence powder coated in various colours after being hot dip galvanised. The multi-coloured RoSPA approved playground railings feature an eye-catching design. With a 25 year guarantee against rust, the fence provides a long-lasting boundary solution with a low lifetime cost.

The landscape at Blenheim Palace has undergone a transformation to include a large state of the art adventure playground for visiting children. ASA Landscape Architects led the project, overseeing the preparation and install. Playground specialists CAP.Co provided the apparatus while we were asked to fabricate the CorTen steel retaining walls and landscape edging. Within the design are various winding, sloping pathways and we were tasked with providing long lasting and durable edges of varying heights. EverEdge Titan heavy duty steel edging was specified for use on the pathways alongside EverEdge Custom 3.0mm thick CorTen steel retaining walls supported by buttresses bolted into a concrete base. The fabrication was especially tricky on this job as the retaining walls required curves, a taper and a 30mm wide flat top edge.We worked closely with Radcot Groundworks to ensure the product met with a demanding set of specifications and, once installed, the steel walls have become a beautiful feature in the design of the play area.The finished product is long lasting, hard wearing and maintenance free making it ideally suited to the site and the CorTen finish sits attractively within the landscape. 

Paultons Park expands with new Dinosaur-Themed Adventure ParkAs part of an expansion project, Paultons Park located in The New Forest, Hampshire, added a new dinosaur-themed adventure park called ‘Lost Kingdom’.The development includes two world-class roller coasters, Jurassic-themed family rides, and adventure play parks and playgrounds.IAE Fencing was approached by the development contractor to supply decorative railings around the playgrounds and along the roller coaster and family rides queueing paths to increase safety and manage the visitor foot traffic.IAE Playspec Playground FencingAround the playgrounds, IAE recommended IAE Playspec Playground Fencing. This is a BS EN 1176 Playground Equipment and RoSPA compliant metal railing system designed to clearly demarcate play areas, and be safe for children. It has no pointy edges or trap or pinch points, to minimise the chase of injury.Access to the play areas was provided by IAE’s Prosafe Playground Gate. This is a speed controlled self closing unit complying with the same safety specifications as the Playspec Playground Fence.To complete the look the railing was colour-matched to the theme of the park, as shown in the images above.IAE Blore Ball Top RailingsFor the railing along the roller coaster ride paths, the contractor chose IAE Blore Ball Top Railings. This system provided an elegant solution to managing the queues and keeping park visitors away from potentially hazardous areas under the roller coasters. It was finished off with an eye-catching alternating colour finish.IAE Duex Edge ProtectionA section of IAE Duex Edge Protection was also supplied to guard against a steep drop falling away from a path that ran alongside a visitor area. This system has been load tested up to 1.5kN/m and specified as suitably robust for the application, providing the necessary safety factor, without being too intrusive on the overall look of the park.Specifying IAE’s Playspec Fencing, Blore Railing, and Duex Edge ProtectionIAE's Playspec Playground Fencing, Blore Ball Top Railings, and Duex Edge Protection are all popular systems installed on hundreds of sites across the country and can be specified with confidence. For further details on the systems and to specify them on your project, check out the featured products sections below, or contact IAE Fencing Division directly.

Lollard Street Adventure Playground is a Danish inspired vibrant urban playground which provides an exciting play space for children aged 6-16 years of age. The playground is divided into various play spaces, including; football pitches, basket ball courts, climbing frames and small garden areas. These areas needed to be effectively divided internally whilst the perimeter of the playground required further security to ensure the children are deterred from venturing off the site into dangers, such as traffic, around the busy urban estate where the playground is situated.

This playground in Singapore seamlessly blends play and sustainability. The natural, unpainted design complements its eco-friendly theme, making it an engaging and sustainable space for kids and caregivers.Mixing fun and sustainability were key factors in this playgroundIn Singapore, the Holy Grace Presbyterian Church Playground embodies the perfect union of play and sustainability. Designed meticulously for the church's kindergarten children, it features Flora playground equipment known for its sustainability and varying difficulty levels to nurture children's risk-taking abilities.Users appreciate the interactive features, diverse entry points, and a captivating bridge connecting towering slides.The benefits of a natural, unpainted option, align perfectly with the playground's nature-inspired design. This project showcases how thoughtful design creates an engaging, sustainable playground for children and caregivers alike.

Are you looking for a fun and exciting playground experience for the kids visiting your hotel or camping ground? Take a look at this example in the themed playground on the Greek island of Rhodes! Situated within the Atlantica Dreams Resort in Gennadi village, this playground is beautifully located right on the beach overlooking the crystal clear waters of the Aegean sea.Santa Maria ship acts as the centrepieceThe Santa Maria ship is the centrepiece of this playground and offers numerous play opportunities for children of different ages including slides, towers, play panels, and climbing ropes. Surrounding Santa Maria is other play equipment for toddlers such as sea-themed seesaws, swings, and a playhouse. Lappset Nonstop benches complete this playground allowing parents to sit and relax while their kids ‘sail away’ on Santa Maria!This impressive project was executed and completed by INTEC in 2018. It is sure to provide hours of entertainment for the little visitors of the resort!

In Marstrand City Park, you will find the playground 'Kraken' featuring products from Lappset's popular Flora and Finno series. The playground is a themed and inclusive play area that has quickly become a natural meeting point for both residents and tourists.A playground with a maritime theme has dropped anchorMarstrand is one of the most popular summer destinations on the Swedish west coast, surrounded by hundreds of islands and islets with smooth cliffs and a lively coastal life. On September 13th, a new playground was inaugurated in the heart of the city, featuring products from Lappset's popular Flora and Finno series. One of the products was a large and impressive Flora tower and ship, custom-designed to fit the environment and the playground's name, which the children had participated in creating.A close collaborationThe playground design was done in close collaboration between the customer, the local salesperson, and the design team at Lappset.The municipality of Marstrand desired an interesting and inviting product connected to the area and the environment.The proposed theme was one related to the sea and ships, fitting the coastal town of Marstrand.For instance, a sign with fish unique to Marstrand was created. Even the windows with muntins on the product are a detail inspired by the many historical buildings in the surroundings.The name 'Kraken' won the naming competitionWhen the playground needed a name, Marstrand municipality, together with Lappset, organized a naming competition where children were invited to suggest names.To inspire the children, Lappset also sponsored a prize for the individual or individuals who came up with the winning suggestion. The name that received the most votes was KRAKEN.The Kraken is often described as a sea monster, as large as an island, pulling ships into the depths. Fascinating, just like a playground should be.The ship was christened with water-filled balloonsBefore a ship embarks on its maiden voyage, it is christened by breaking a champagne bottle against the side of the boat.This time, children used water-filled balloons for the naming ceremony of the play boat.There were many joyful laughs as the balloons were thrown and burst against the playship.In conjunction with the inauguration, a sign for the park, crafted by a local carpenter, was also unveiled.

This year, the playgrounds in Kazincbarcika are being beautified again. The refurbishment across the city's 22 playgrounds began this spring with the replacement of rubber coatings and the refurbishment of sandboxes, followed by the necessary repairs to equipment and structural elements. The work is expected to be completed by autumn.With the arrival of spring weather, many are eager to spend time outdoors, and families with young children enjoy spending time on playgrounds. Among the city residents we surveyed, many consider the area around the Boating Lake a prime destination due to its proximity to nature and the presence of a playground nearby.It is important that children can play in the safest, well-maintained environment possible. Barcika Park Nonprofit Ltd. is responsible for the operation of 22 playgrounds, which include 220 play equipment. The company's staff continuously repair any detected faults and deficiencies, and they annually review the condition of the playground equipment. Some of the equipment is repaired on-site, while others are taken to their workshop for repairs after transportation.Parents can also assist the professionals with their observations through the city's official mobile app, KolorApp. Thanks to these reports, it was discovered that the rubber coatings on the playgrounds were worn and damaged, prompting the company to replace all of them for the safety of the children. Additionally, they regularly rake the sand surfaces, disinfect and refill the sandboxes, and refurbish or install new playground equipment, as communicated by Márton Rosza, the construction group leader at Barcika Park Nonprofit Ltd."The major replacements and repairs, for example, are taking place at the Barátság Square playground, the Völgy Street playground, the Instrument Technician Street playground, and in the Völgy Park. Currently, the replacement of spring toys, balance swings, and swinging swings is underway. We strive to show the residents potential innovations," stated the expert.Márton Rosza added: His colleagues also take care of emptying waste containers, managing green areas, caring for vegetation, and cleaning sandboxes, shock absorbers, and coatings. Safety is also ensured by a regulation that mandates a triennial review of the playgrounds, which is always performed by an expert company. Thus, everything necessary for uninterrupted and high-quality relaxation is available in Kazincbarcika. However, during the maintenance work, they ask for the patience and cooperation of the children and their parents.

A playground and public plaza have been created for a new community developed above a railway line.

Capstone Farm Country Park covers 114 hectares of former farmland set on the North Downs. There is a variety of habitats within the park, including ancient woodlands, old orchards, a freshwater lake, meadows and hedgerows.DCM worked on the project with HAGS, installing Rubber Mulch to the playground. Natural colours were chosen for the playground, blending in with the surrounding scenery and play equipment. Leaf graphics were created using both Rubber Mulch and Wetpour, bringing life and depth to the park.The Head of Regeneration at Medway Council commented:“Capstone Farm Country Park is one of Medway’s seven Green Flag parks. Thousands of people visit the park each year and we are delighted to have installed new play equipment and surfacing graphics for children to enjoy. I would like to thank our contractors for all their hard work.”

A series of shelters provide playground cover at Hatch End High School.

An amazing playground created by Hand Made Places by Broxap supports early years learning at Cuddles Day Nursery.

Playground equipment helps to keep children fit and active by encouraging them to play outdoors at Fairisle Primary School.

Physical activity is encouraged at Kingsgate Primary School through the creation of a school playground packed with exciting and inclusive equipment.

Escape reality with a thrilling adventure playground experience in Melbourne, Australia! The playground distributed by our local channel partner Lark Industries is located in Lyndarum North Estate and is home to the awe-inspiring Cubic tower - an architectural wonder of modern play.Vibrantly designed estate playspaceReaching 8 meters tall and constructed from 3 cubes and cuboids stacked on top of each other, this colossal structure invites children to push their boundaries as they explore its dizzying heights for unforgettable views! With both single high structures or more challenging double variants available come along for a day filled with fun that will leave lasting memories.

A landscaping scheme including playground, planting, shelters and seating has help to attract more shoppers to a retail park.The improvements to the Orbital Shopping Park in Swindon were designed to encourage visitors to stay longer and offer more facilities for families, groups and couples.

Nestled in the natural beauty of northern Athens, “Adventure Farm Forest” is an inspiring outdoor playground that beckons families from all corners to come together and have fun!Themed playground in Athens, GreeceDesigned with a harmonious blend between nature's wonderland and creative play activities, it will surely excite imaginations while thrilling your little adventurers. Its centerpiece attraction – Polka - draws many children seeking thrills amidst elastic tiles covering its entire area. For younger kids, there are multiple interactive games such as Mole's Wood adventure or Little House for infants plus several benches for tired parents waiting nearby. A refreshing marble fountain supplies cool water under sunny Grecian skies topped off by a cozy municipal coffee shop only steps away when you need refueling after long hours of family bonding moments within this special place - truly a one-of-a-kind spot in Greece!The project was executed by our local channel partner Intec S.A. in 2012.

Hand Made Places were approached by Appleby Magna Parish Council to provide them with a wide range of playground equipment. The equipment was for an already established recreational ground in Appleby Magna, Derbyshire. The parish council acquired funding to expand their playground. This was done in order to encourage more children to get involved in outdoor activities. The funding was supplied by Tesco’s ‘Bags of Help Initiative’. This uses the money from carrier bag sales to enhance their surrounding communities. Working to the strict budget supplied by this great scheme Hand Made Places needed to provide a wide variety of equipment, which would be suitable for all age groups. The equipment not only had to be enjoyed as a collection of single units, but it also had to work well together. The equipment also had to integrate well with the pre-existing metal equipment which was already present on the piece of land.Our wide range of equipment which was installed created a fun and interesting trim trail. This surrounded both the pre-existing equipment as well as our Hawks Nest. The installed trim trail included: Swing Steps, Trapeze Rings, Duck ‘n’ Weave, Wobble Bridge, Rope Walk, Zig Zag, Balance Beam and Stepping Stones. These pieces of equipment fit the clients brief in providing a fun place for children to enjoy physical play. It also provided a wide range of equipment which will help to encourage children to develop certain important skills, including both coordination and balance. All of these products were positioned in such a way as to allow the playground to flow whilst not overshadowing the pre-existing metal equipment.Our equipment is both fun and safe for use by a wide range of children all of whom fall into different age groups. To further enhance safety however, grass matting was installed to provide an impact absorbent surface.

Within the school grounds is a grassy area with play equipment that needed to be demarcated in order to distinguish it from the rest of the playground and allow different age groups to play simultaneously yet independently. We supplied 19.1 metres of 1.2m high Anti Trap Bow Top fencing, and a 1.2m high 1.5m wide single leaf self-closing gate, both finished with a blue RAL 5010 polyester powder coating to match the school colours.

Adding variety to the daily sports activities open to children at Rode Heath Primary School has been achieved with the installation of an outdoor gym.Pupils can now enjoy a gym session after completing their Daily Mile, while teachers will incorporate the equipment into PE lessons.The gym has been designed by Sunshine Gym for a shady grassed area close to the school’s sports pitches and Key Stage 2 playground.

DCM Surfaces were thrilled to be part of the ‘Lord of the Rings’ inspired playground at St Thomas’s School in Clapham.Blue Forest were the successful bidders in the contract for the play area, which included rope bridges, winding log walks, monkey bars, clamber nets, sunken tyre stepping stones, and a draw-bridge. As a long-standing customer, Blue Forest approached DCM to provide a natural looking surface which would complement the timber-style play equipment.Following the successful completion of the project, DCM has since worked with Blue Forest to install the play surface at Thomas’s Clapham sister school, Thomas’s Battersea, before the enrolment of Prince George in September.The Project Manager at Blue Forest commented:“From the office staff to the on-site installers, DCM worked hard to accommodate our requirements. They were punctual and remained until the job was done. Their quality of work is second to none and I would have no trouble recommending them.”

A Newcastle canopy provides an outdoor learning area and a covered play space at Hyde Park School in Plymouth.The double-sided gullwing version of the popular Newcastle canopy was the perfect choice for this project, providing a covered space extending from existing school buildings out into the playground.Outdoor learning space is playing an increasingly important role at the school which is creating an environment to meet the developmental needs of all students.The Newcastle Gullwing canopy was customised by Broxap to fit the space available, following the profile of the existing building, and to meet the needs of Hyde Park School which is now part of the Learning Academies Trust.As well as being manufactured to unique dimensions, we also offered the school a range of customisation options which are available with our canopy and shelter products.It specified a powder coated finish to the galvanised steel framework, choosing blue to match the school colours.

When Uppsala Municipality was planning for Lina Sandells Park, they made sure to include input from the children in the area. Now, this park has become a playground paradise - offering a wide range of play options that are sure to spark the imaginations of young and old alike!Outdoor attractions for all agesOne highlight of this unique park is the Wall-Holla play equipment – a modular, space-saving playset. This flexible play structure consists of multiple climbing elements, slides, swings, ladders, and other interactive elements that provide a challenging and fun experience for all ages. It gives children an opportunity to explore their physical boundaries while also helping them develop motor skills, balance, and coordination.The upgraded facility also features an Interactive DJ table Fono, Chillout park benches with USB ports, and tables with chessboards to further stimulate its visitors. With such diverse attractions, visitors can guarantee that Lina Sandells Park will bring them unforgettable memories no matter their age!

Children and adults can enjoy a workout together thanks to the innovative design of an outside gym installed at Hadley park.Sunshine Gym worked with residents, parish councillors, the local authority and outside play consultants to develop the open space.Thought to be the first of its type in the UK, the public outdoor gym equipment features separate areas for children and adults.But with the two sides facing each other, all age groups are encouraged to get fit in the outdoors together as the equipment is mirrored in both gyms.Safety factors considered by Sunshine Gym included the location of the children’s equipment so adults can supervise while taking advantage of the health park themselves.A fence also surrounds the children’s area so that it is safely enclosed. Playground markings mean youngsters can take part in additional games and activities as well as make use of the multi gym fitness equipment.On the opposite side, equipment for adults and young people include a rower, double health walker and double slalom skier alongside a sky stepper to get the heart pumping with cardiovascular routines.Parallel rails, double squat push and Sunshine Gym’s combi pull down challenger and power push offer a strength workout, coupled with an accessible arm and pedal bike suitable for wheelchair users and those who may have difficulties with mobility.In between the sections, a sprint track was marked out.Councillor Derek White, chairman of the health scrutiny committee at Telford and Wrekin Council, said: “The community decided they wanted something that was a bit different, something that was healthy and that the community could engage with.“They thought it was important to provide for adults and young people, but also for children as well.”The park is being maintained by Hadley and Leegomery Parish Council, which held public consultations over the park design with development consultancy apT, part of Telford and Wrekin Council.  Hadley and Leegomery Parish Council chairman Malcolm Smith said: “The new gym has increased awareness of the park to the local community and has already become a popular community venue which the community value.“The park is now used as a community meeting point to meet old friends and new, and exercise together.“Being in the outside this healthy park aims to connect people to nature where they may unwind in the park and exercise for free to maximise the free health benefits on their doorstep and positively impact upon the community.”Bespoke seating and signage, designed, built and installed by Sunshine Gym, completed the near-£40,000 health park project.Councillor Hilda Rhodes, Telford and Wrekin Council’s cabinet member for parks, green spaces and the natural environment, said: “The gym facility has transformed an underused open space into a well-used healthy park.“This provides opportunities to exercise and for quiet contemplation to support mental health and has become a park with a purpose.”

Ultra-modern washroom solution at the multi-million pound entertainment venue at The Arndale Shopping Centre, Manchester.

Highfield South Farnham Primary School contacted Zenith as they were in need of a canopy structure for their play area that could be used for additional outdoor learning space as well as a play area.

In 2017, Belshill Academy invested in a new outdoor sports facility, which included three separate multi-sport courts to offer handball, basketball, hockey, tennis and football.HAGS was the successful bidder for the development, which also included a warm up / cool down section, outdoor gym, and a 400m four lane running track, and selected DCM to install the polymeric surface.The Deputy Head at Belshill Academy, John McGuire, commented:“The new MUGA facility has had a very positive impact at our school. It has brought a new dimension to PE lessons, allowing staff a far greater range of options in their delivery of lessons. The pupils love using the facility and it has been great for after school clubs as well as encouraging pupils to be active at interval and lunchtime.”

DCM Surfaces were delighted to work on the project to install over 3000m2 of Rubber-Gravel Mix along Huddersfield Canal Path.Rubber-Gravel Mix is the ideal surface for sporting arenas, footpaths, canal paths, tree pits, cemetery paths or as a macadam replacement in hard to reach locations such as roof tops.Porous and slip resistant, Rubber-Gravel Mix is suitable for wheelchair users, and allows for sustainable drainage in cities, towns and countryside.

Lockerpods bike locker offer safety and security for your bike. Manufactured from recyclable, low density polyethylene, the LDPE is UV treated and will not deteriorate or dis-colour over time. The door hasps are made of protected Stainless steel tabs, drilled to accept padlocks. Internally it is designed so that a ground anchor can be installed to accept a D Lock or chain for additional security. Lockerpods are weatherproof so your bike is kept clean and dry and there’s space to store your helmet and other bike kit safely with your bike.

The Cyclepod is our flagship cycle storage product which makes a real impact. The eye catching design offers 2 separate locking points per cycle and secures 8 bikes in a two meter diameter. The Cyclepod is an ideal bike storage solution for semi secure locations where space and aesthetics are particularly important. Cyclepods can be used together with the Spacepods to go around corners and to form a “stretched Cyclepod / island” which holds more than 8 bikes.

The Streetpod is our latest revolutionary cycle storage design! This highly secure and stylish product offers maximum bike protection for public location and open spaces, where bike security is a concern. The Streetpod is Secured by Design accredited and UK police recommended, it is also the only free-standing cycle parking solution in the UK which has achieved Sold Secure Silver certification. The Streetpod has the ability to secure the bike frame and both wheels with a single lock. This highly configurable design can also accommodate advertising and sponsorship.

The Minipod is a unique product designed to get children cycling. The Minipod is an innovative product which allows 8 bikes and 8 scooters to be secured. Available in a range of different colours, the Minipod is ideal for primary schools encouraging cycling and the children love them! They can be placed on their own, in halves against a wall or on portable bases and mats!

We installed two types of bike storage at the Boots Company Headquarters in Nottingham to cater for the growing number of employees choosing to commute by bike. The first phase of the project was installing 32 Black Streetpods, giving 64 bike spaces, outside and under an existing shelter.

The Scooterpod is a unique and compact storage solution just for scooters! The fun and colourful innovation is ideal for nursery and primary schools, securing up to 12 scooters! Like all Cyclepods’ products, the Scooterpod is manufactured in the UK and available in 100% recycled materials. The Scooterpod; another space – saving, secure and eco-friendly design which doesn’t require foundations! Combine it with the Linear Scooterpod to form Scooterpod Islands.

The architects of the Guardian’s new building approached Cyclepods to help plan and design the basement level. They had designed a layout using standard bike stands and could only fit in enough racks to secure 118 bikes. We requested the plans and designed a layout using our Spacepods. After a few revisions we settled on a design that utilises 189 Spacepods giving 189 secure bike parking spaces. Nearly 60% more than the original plan. The Guardian have noticed an increase in cyclists since our products were installed!