Caravan Industry & Park Operator - Outdoor Play & Adventure

& Park Operator industry

OUTDOOR PLAY & ADVENTURE

Darran Hine, Sales Director at Sovereign Play Equipment advises the following:

• What outdoor play services do you offer?

Sovereign offers a complete service and a wide range of commercial play equipment for all possible play area needs. We have the capability and expertise to deliver the whole package including design and manufacture, installation and after sales support. We can advise on compliance issues, as well as offer safety surfacing options and provide a fully bespoke design service. We offer a personal, no obligation, free design and quotation service and have in-house RPII inspectors that are able to offer ongoing checks and maintenance once the project has been completed.

• What’s new for 2023?

Sovereign is launching several new ranges of play equipment this year. Our newest wooden adventure tower, ‘The Mckay’ which has been designed to create a centrepiece in any playground. Standing at 3.6 metres in height and 12 metres in length, the tower is suitable for children of three years and over and combines a multitude of activities and six decks all in one structure.

• What part does play equipment take in attracting and retaining customers?

Investing in an outdoor play area instantly attracts more families to your park; play spaces provide stimulating fun for kids whilst allowing the adults a breather. A professionally designed play area can increase visitor numbers and encourages them to stay for longer durations. We have received exceptional feedback from clients within the caravan and holiday parks industry, as well as from public houses, hotels, and farm parks that when selecting a suitable venue to stay at, most families list a play area as an essential requirement.

• What top 5 tips would you offer to holiday parks looking to establish or improve their outdoor play offering?

• Make sure that the supplier offers good value for money and extended warranties. It is advisable to seek a minimum warranty of 20 years – a reputable provider will automatically offer a comprehensive longterm warranty

• Always ensure that the supplier meets health & safety requirements and are registered with CHAS

• A good play area should be inclusive to all, so whatever your available space, try to

make sure you are covering as wider age range as possible from toddlers up to early teens. It is also wise to consider installing play equipment that can also be used by children with special needs

• Make sure that the necessary safety surfacing is in place to comply with the play equipment and consider installing seating areas to enable parents or carers to relax while children play. For example, providing picnic tables and bins.

• Finally and most importantly, make sure that the area is fun.  An experienced play provider will be able to advise you on the best mix of equipment for your budget. If the children are happy and content, then there is every chance that Mum and Dad are too!

• Are there any pitfalls to avoid?

Make sure that you use a reputable supplier with a long track record, so that you know that if they offer a 20-year warranty, they have been in business for 20 years themselves.  The cheaper option is often that way for a reason and we witness many companies going out of business each year leaving parks with equipment that is unserviceable and out of warranty.

• What insurance cover is required?

Using a company with public liability insurance of £10,000,000 will give you ultimate peace of mind while the company is on site installing and having professional indemnity insurance of £5,000,000 afterwards. Any Holiday Park looking to add a new play area should always make their insurers aware and ensure that any equipment installed is compliant to BS EN 1176 and BS EN 1177.

• What are the typical price points?

A modest adventure trail could start from as little as £3,500 and an adventure tower with safer surfacing from around £7,000. I would suggest that a sensible amount, to get a reasonable sized play area from the start, would be in the region of £15,000.

• What are the best materials to look for and why?

In the past, steel equipment was considered the best for longevity, but now with some companies offering a 20-year warranty against rot, wood has become a very popular material as it is largely a lot cheaper than its steel rival.

• How often should outdoor play equipment be changed/updated?

The more equipment is used, the quicker it may suffer from wear and tear. You can expect 10-15 years’ use from any play areaand a lot more if it is well maintained.

• What advice would you give for service and maintenance?

Regular checks in terms of tightening nuts and bolts and making sure that there aren’t any mindless acts of vandalism should be carried out weekly; and can be done by the site management team.  If maintained correctly, any potential risks (including any debris, loose nuts, bolts or fixings and corrosion) can be spotted at an early stage and addressed immediately.

Sovereign provides a simple check list to follow in all after care packs, supplied with every installation.  Bi-annual operational inspections should be carried out by a competent inspector.  Sovereign have a team of qualified RPII inspectors on hand to aid with this.

Contact:

Darran Hine info@sovereignplay.com