Play & Activity June 2023

More play companies sign-up to GroundsFest

Several companies from the play sector have booked to attend GroundsFest 2023 with more confirming their interest each week.

Companies such as A E Evans, Kompan, Wicksteed Leisure, Play and Leisure, The Play Inspection Company, South West Play, Huck Nets UK, Star Rubber Environmental and Eibe Play have all recently signed up to the event which will take place at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire on 20 and 21 September 2023.

Since its launch GroundsFest has continued to go from strength to strength. Over 100 exhibitors have taken 9,000 square metres

Theale’s combined sports and play area show off Proludic’s design skills.

Nature inspired play

of space with 75% of allocated space accounted for.

Close to 5,000 visitors, which includes grounds staff, greenkeepers, landscapers, local authorities, estate managers and contractors, have already signalled their intention to attend by registering for the GroundsFest visitor newsletter.

The Association of Play Industries (API) will have a dedicated stand at GroundsFest to promote membership services. GroundsFest’s free educational seminar programme will also feature API-badged sessions.

As a result, GroundsFest will offer a one-stop shop for those involved in the selection, purchase, upkeep and replacement of play equipment and safer surfaces. Commenting on Wicksteed Leisure’s decision to exhibit at GroundsFest, National Sales Manager Lynne Egginton, said: “Wicksteed are excited to be attending the first ever GroundsFest in September this year. It is always a pleasure to be able to showcase our products, and we will have some exciting new equipment on display. We look forward to welcoming everyone to our stand at Stoneleigh Park.”

GroundsFest Enquiry 36

In 2021, Theale Parish Council embarked on a journey to upgrade its outdoor play facilities on the recreation ground.

The Council decided to replace the existing playground and provide more facilities for older children, teenagers and adults while reducing antisocial behaviour and combatting obesity in the process.

Proludic was selected not only to produce designs for these two exciting projects but also to oversee a consultation process that would give residents the power to shape the final designs.

Proludic produced an online survey that asked residents to give their opinions on the play and MUSA (Multi-Use Sports

Area) proposed design facilities. The survey received over 200 responses and results indicated a clear preference for a MUGA (Multi-Use Games Area), and outdoor gym and Calisthenics equipment. Proludic also produced a YouTube video to engage younger children.

The final design for the toddler and junior play area featured a new coloured wetpour safer surfacing and also included accessible swings (J493), ageappropriate Kanope & Diabolo multiplay units (J5610 & J38124), trampoline squares (R34-ETP-000A), a rodeo board (J3501) and an inclusive roundabout (J3501). Additional items for the toddlers were a fun playhouse (J234) and a seesaw springer (J852).

The MUSA included a MUGA court featuring a range of sports markings and including football goals and basketball hoops at either end. Lower fencing on one side of the MUGA was put in place for spectators to get involved with the on-court action and make the space more inclusive. Next to the MUGA, we installed an ACTI’Street fitness area for callisthenics, with ACTI’Fit outdoor gym equipment aimed at sociable exercise.

Such a grand design merited a grand opening, with goodie bags and free ice cream for young visitors and activities, games and refreshments for all.

Proludic

Enquiry 37

Playground upgrade delights community

The Oughterside and Prospect Playground at Pond Green had been in need of an upgrade for quite some time.

Therefore, after a successful fundraising effort by the Parish Council and local parents, the playground finally got the muchneeded upgrade it deserved.

By Proludic

The playground was used by children from both villages, and it was in a state of disrepair. The outdated equipment was no longer safe for children to use.

The Parish Council decided to take action and formed a committee to raise funds for the upgrade.

There is a variety of play equipment at the site for all ages including a Basketgoal Handball that will allow the community to play a variety of sports. A Rape Lite from Jukebox Lite range of multi-play tower units, a Rota Bounce, an inclusive Timber Team Swing and a Play Tractor.

Playdale Playgrounds

Enquiry 39

Now Available, a new line of 2D pre formed graphics for EPDM wet pour surfacing. Made from high quality full colour EPDM wet pour and preformed for ease of installation.

Full brochure available on request, please contact info@starrubber.co.uk for more information.

www.star-rubber.co.uk

Huck brings colour and fun to a new playground

North Mills in Bridport was once a major hub for the town’s rope and netmaking industry, an industry which dates back to the 13th century and the Town is still world famous for.

So, when the requirement was identified by the Bridport Town Council to add a playground to the North Mills Estate, their first stop was Bridport-based Huck Nets, who still manufacture rope and netting in the Town, and make, supply and install rope play equipment, as installed at the very popular West Bay play area nearby.

The newly created playground is aimed at youngsters from 5-11 years. It features a range of Huck’s unique rope play equipment including the Huck bird’s nest

Tough Trail innovationeibe’s newest brand range

With elements of parkour, free running and calisthenics, play meets sporting challenge with full body commitment.

The tough trail transforms your playground into an exciting, action-packed fitness/play experience for young people aged 10 and up.

Our Tough Trail is tested and certified EN 1176 compliant.

It has been designed with deliberately challenging access so younger children cannot climb onto the equipment and use features designed for children above the age of 10.

The benefit of this is that it means it can be included within a public space as part of full play schemes with equipment designed for

other age groups which would previously have offered very little for this age range.

Features of Tough Trail include:

• Challenging ascents, transitions, and descents for the 10+ target group

• Sporty orientation with movement stimuli from sports such as free running, parkour or Ninja Warrior

• Conforms to national play standards EN 1176

• Robust materials especially suitable for high utilization and a long product lifetime

• Modern, urban design

• Three casual colour concepts to choose from

• Available with timber, stainless steel, galvanised steel and powder-coated posts

• Interchangeable modular structure for customisation

Tough Trail is just one of the segments within our extensive brand range which can be viewed via our main catalogue.

If you create your own play scheme using any of our equipment, we can carry out a free “regulations conformity review” to check your design meets the industry standards.

Should you ever have a unique brief that requires a one-off piece we offer a bespoke design service and work with you to help make your play concepts a reality.

To work with us contact our office at eibe@eibe.co.uk or on 01483 813834.

eibe Play Enquiry 42

tree with the addition of a bridge and slide, a 3- bay swing and a trampoline. More equipment is to be installed in the future.

As well as choosing the right equipment for the play area, the colour of the equipment and rope was considered. Good use of colour can inspire the imagination, encourage vigorous play and set the tone for interaction and socialisation.

“We have worked with Huck for a number of years. We were very pleased to be offered the chance to install this new equipment using the new powder coloured range” said Town Surveyor, Daryl Chamber “Play equipment should enable young people of all ages to play together, and be seen as a challenge to engage and

test their abilities, Huck’s play equipment certainly does this”.

Huck has recently expanded their Powder-Coating range and now offer it instead of the galvanised posts. For this project they also incorporated some of their new coloured ropes.

Huck’s play range includes equipment for ages 2-6 and young adults, and is perfect for schools, councils and all play areas. Huck also offers end-toend design, supply, installation and maintenance of outdoor play equipment.

To view the full range of Huck’s play equipment visit www.huckplay.co.uk

Huck Nets Enquiry 41