Play & Activity June 2019

API assists in major new study on play and children’s mental health

The Association of Play Industries is one of a number of key organisations who will be working alongside Dr Helen Dodd from the University of Reading on the first large-scale study into how risky play affects children’s emotional well-being.

A new £1.1m research grant provided by UK Research and Innovation and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy will enable Dr Dodd to understand what effect ‘adventurous play’ has on supporting children

to build emotional resilience and combat anxiety.

Dr Helen Dodd from the Anxiety and Depression in Young People (AnDY) Research Clinic at the University of Reading said: “We’re going to be researching whether children’s adventurous play can decrease levels of anxiety experienced by young people.

“By looking to increase children’s opportunities for adventurous play, the quality of life for children could be improved and

future mental health issues could be prevented.”

API Chair Mark Hardy, said: “As the number of children with mental health problems continues to rise, we’re pleased to be able to support this timely research.

“Outdoor play is essential for healthy physical and mental development and the role that adventurous play has in combatting anxiety will be of great interest to all those involved in children’s welfare.

Looking forward to Play Day 2019

Play England is working in partnership on Play Day, Wednesday 7 August 2019, with PlayBoard Northern Ireland, Play Scotland and Play Wales.

This year’s theme is: Play Builds Children, which aims to highlight the many ways in which play is beneficial to children and young people.

These include:

• Play Builds Friendships –playing allows children to interact with others, develop relationships, deal with conflict, and learn respect and tolerance.

Play Builds Resilience –playing boosts children’s confidence, creativity, problem-solving skills and

perseverance, enabling them to cope with stress and challenges throughout life.

• Play Builds Health and Well-being – being active through play helps children physically and emotionally, contributing to their health and happiness.

• Play Builds Communities –playing allows children to learn about the world around them, make connections, and develop a sense of identity and belonging.

Play England

“Children are now facing a compelling ‘pull’ to stay indoors from screens, with children choosing their laptops and mobile phones over outdoor play. At the same time, there is a crisis in play provision with the number of community playgrounds closing at an alarming rate. Screens are displacing play and, in many areas, children have nowhere to play.”

Dr Dodd continued: “The project will be carried out in partnership with those who set play policy and design play

areas. I’m looking forward to meeting some of the API members and working towards every child having access to environments where they can develop emotional resilience.”

Dr Helen Dodd is one of the first academics from a group of 42 researchers and business leaders selected for a UK Research and Innovation’s (UKRI) Future Leaders Fellowship to tackle pressing global challenges.

API

Proludic launch new leisure brochure

Play and sports equipment manufacturer and Installer Proludic has launched a new brochure focussed at the leisure market, further enhancing their work in this sector.

Targeting organisations such as holiday parks, pubs, health clubs, shopping centres, zoos, hotels, museums and service stations – it aims to provide the reader with helpful inspirational case studies and product solutions that specifically target each subsector’s need.

Proludic’s own research has shown that investing in and improving those leisure facilities – can further

help attract new families and ensure they not only repeat visit but also spend more money with you during their experience.

Whether you want to refurbish existing play facilities or add something completely new –Proludic have a full range of services and products to suit your needs.

The company offers a free design and quote service and are happy to come to your site and assess current requirements, offering best practice recommendations.

Proludic

Marcel Siem drives German participation in golf

Marcel Siem has launched a golf practice demonstration area in his home town of Ratingen in a drive to establish Germany as a leading golfing nation.

Partnering with Huxley Golf, the world’s leading provider of all-weather golf surfaces, the new facility comprises a large 1,615 sq ft (150 sq mtrs) putting green (Premier Outdoor), a 300 sq ft (28 sq mtrs) golf green, a chipping area and a cage net for driving practice.

The whole area is surrounded with Huxley Golf 35mm Premier Leisure Turf.

Speaking at the launch, Marcel Siem said: “Practice is undoubtedly the key to success in any sport and golf is certainly no different. I installed a Huxley Golf putting green at my home in 2016 to enable me to practise my short game whenever I wished, even when my schedule meant I didn’t have much time or the weather was bad.

“I was, and remain, incredibly impressed with the realism of the surface compared to natural grass.”

Call for sport and physical activity sector to embrace digital revolution

Leaders in the sport and physical activity sector have called upon colleagues to embrace technology to make it easier for people to get active.

A ComRes survey commissioned by Sport England found that people find it twice as easy to order takeaway food online than to book a sport or fitness class.

To help the sector innovate, open their data and develop their digital offering, Sport England is awarding a further £1.5 million of National Lottery funding to the Open Data Institute (ODI).

And Chief Executive, Tim Hollingsworth, has called on sport and physical activity providers to commit to opening their data – in

the same way transport providers have done, leading to apps such as CityMapper – by the end of the year. Since November 2016, 27 organisations have opened their data, resulting in more than 170,000 sport and physical activity sessions a month being made available online.

“There is a significant prize to be won here if the sport and physical activity sector seizes the opportunity to embrace digital innovation and open up their data,” he said.

“Our survey shows that at the moment there are too many barriers to entry. So, this is about giving the public the choice to find sport and physical activity in a way that meets the expectations they have in all other aspects of their lives.

It’s all fun and games with Marley’s CitiDeck

When specifying decking for schools, nurseries and playgrounds, consideration must be given to aesthetics, maintenance and safety. Laura Qualters, National Technical Manager at Marley, explains why choosing the right products, which are both safe and inclusive, means education and outdoor activity providers can ensure everyone is able to enjoy the decked areas.

Landscapers, architects and contractors are increasingly choosing to use timber decking to create outdoor teaching and play areas to really maximise the space they have available. One such project which recently specified Marley’s anti-slip decking, CitiDeck, was Robert Wilkinson School which wanted to create a memorial project in memory of four-year-old Jake Smith. Project managers, Playscheme, carefully created the outside area which comprised of a bespoke treehouse, along with surrounding walkway and garden area, fully furnished with Marley’s CitiDeck.

Created for use by the local community, the treehouse, named Jake’s Treehouse, features a small pond and tree platform to bring vibrancy and greenery to the space, with the treehouse also featuring skylights and windows to maximise the natural light.

Because of the dual purpose for the project, Playscheme needed to ensure it would be suitable for heavy, sustained use by children playing in the treehouse and surrounding communal planting area. The combination of potentially damp terrain and the walkway leading up to the treehouse was understandably a key area of consideration for the project’s developer’s right from initial conception.

Consequently, Playscheme decided to install anti-slip decking across the walkway, the stairs up into the treehouse, and in the treehouse’s internal space to ensure it was safe and sustainable for children in the community to enjoy.

Featuring strong aesthetics together with increased longevity of the decking, Marley’s CitiDeck anti-slip timber deck boards were selected by Playscheme for the entire project.

Commenting on the importance of safety and the reasons for choosing Marley CitiDeck, Graham Swales, Production Assistant at Playscheme, explained: “Everything that we build is thoroughly checked. Every opening, every gap, every bit of wood that comes over a rail. This was especially important with Jake’s Treehouse project because children might be going from wet grass, and running up the stairs into the treehouse. This meant we needed all decking to be non-slip for safety reasons, and the product we go to for that is CitiDeck.”

Marley CitiDeck features a smooth inclusive profile and two anti-slip inserts, which are a slightly less abrasive aggregate while still exceeding the HSE’s minimum requirement; providing a safe, non-slip surface. Treated to achieve a 30 year service life, CitiDeck’s above-average lifespan is an important benefit in driving down the costs of associated maintenance and refurbishment – thanks to the smooth surface being much easier to maintain and keep clean.

Timber is an aesthetically pleasing material which can be left to weather naturally over time, blending in with its surroundings. All of Marley’s anti-slip decking is sourced sustainably with full FSC & PEFC accreditation, enhancing the environmental credentials of the project. In addition, Marley can provide technical support throughout the project, from specification to advice on installation. As every project has different challenges and objectives, our experienced technical support team can work with landscapers, contractors and architects to discuss their requirements and help find the best solution.

“But it is also about creating the conditions for brilliant, creative start-ups and innovators across England to come up with big digital ideas and solutions that are as diverse as the needs of the public.”

The survey, of 1,815 adults living in England, showed:

• Activities such as booking a holiday, a taxi, a concert ticket or ordering a takeaway, are considered easier to access online than sport

• Almost a quarter of adults find it easy to book a holiday online and a majority say the same for ordering a takeaway (68%), while just 34% say it’s easy to book sport or fitness classes online

• Consumers consider price, location, time, difficulty level and a description of the session are the top five things they want to know.

The ODI, an independent, nonprofit organisation founded in 2012 by Sir Tim Berners-Lee and Sir Nigel Shadbolt, offers training, research and strategic advice for organisations looking to explore the possibilities of data.

In November 2016 they launched OpenActive, which has now seen 27 organisations – including Greenwich Leisure Limited,

British Cycling and Our Parks

their data,

in more than 170,000 physical activity sessions a month being made available online.

Sport England

With consumers increasingly using online services as a regular part of their life, opening data will give consumers greater access to sport online in a way that best fits their lives.

“This is a real tipping point moment,” added Tim Hollingsworth.

“Now is the time for the whole sector to collaborate to reach millions more people, remove the barriers they face and supercharge the number of people getting active in England for the health of our nation.”

The £1.5 million will help the ODI to continue their work in the sport and physical activity sector, which has seen OpenActive data used by 10 startups that we mentored and are working on innovative tech solutions to help people get active.

– publish

resulting

Huxley Golf

Johnsons works to improve special needs school grounds

HAGS puts the social experience into play

Bathford Council contracted HAGS to design and create a new play area that gives local children plenty of opportunities to play and socialise.

The challenge was set for designers to come up with a well thought strategy to make best use of this existing narrow space where an old playground used to sit. The play area had to be low maintenance, provide play equipment for all abilities and have safety railings to distinguish it from the adjacent sports field.

The Zingo product range promotes social interaction and development, as well as providing a challenging physical exercise.

For older children, the NRG Altitude 11B was chosen as a centrepiece and instinctively appeals to all children with a sense of adventure, providing challenges to get them moving so they never get bored. In addition, HAGS provided playground essentials such as the Olympic 2 seat swing with 2 cradle seats, a 2.4m Basket Swing and a Rota Roka to complement this play area.

Local family businesses Bettys & Taylors Group and commercial nursery Johnsons of Whixley have teamed up to provide over £5,500 worth of plants to Springwater, a special needs school in Harrogate.

The Harrogate based day school provides education to children between the ages of 2-19 years that have a range of complex life-limiting and learning limited conditions. The school also provides an Outreach service within North Yorkshire mainstream schools for pupils with learning difficulties.

Samantha Gibson from Bettys & Taylors Group, said: “As a business we have a long history of working with Springwater School over the last two decades. With this background we were delighted to be able to be part of this project through our Trees for Life initiative in revitalising their sensory garden.

“A total of 1,430 plants have been provided and donated for it’s new interactive and sensory stimulating playground that will allow children with disabilities to safely play alongside their friends.

“This is the second phase of the big build project which will really compliment the new state of the art sensory room

and soon to be complete sunken trampoline for rebound therapy; phase three of the project. Plants have carefully been chosen with sensory varieties such as Lavender, Mint and Rosemary included in the planting plan.

Managing Director Graham Richardson from Johnsons of Whixley, said: “I can think of few projects that are as deserving as ‘Springwater’ and our business is pleased to help in a small way. Our team up with Betty’s has worked particularly well, both being local employers with 100 or approaching 100 years of operating in the locality!”

The ‘big build project’ was launched by Children’s charity Variety on the back of their visit to the school in 2017 when Yorkshire Regional Development Director of Variety, Charlotte Farrington recognised how restrictive the school was for the children.

Variety managed to enlist numerous local businesses that attend the Yorkshire Property Awards each year to get on board with donations and services to help give the school a much-needed makeover.

Johnsons of Whixley

HAGS provided a range of equipment ensuring children would be kept entertained for hours. For the younger users (age 1-4) the Zingo Nau, Zingo See Saw and a Zingo Bubble were chosen to integrate bright colours within the park.

To encourage cognitive stimulation, the Crazy and Ball maze panels, Talk Tubes, 3 in a Row Panel and a ‘What Time Is It?’ panel were also included.

HAGS

Outdoor musical instruments put users in tune with nature

These fi nely crafted outdoor percussion instruments make a striking addition to any play area.

All instruments are carefully tuned to the same key, allowing players to explore sounds and rhythms in pairs or groups. The EN1176 compliant designs are built to last, using materials that are guaranteed to retain their

Take the challenge at Fisher Lane Park

Play & Leisure was given the task to supply and install a trim trail at Fisher Lane Park in Mansfield by the local district council.

The brief explained that the equipment they were looking for would be aimed more towards the older children so Play & Leisure decided to do a bespoke design, taking pieces from the Quest Range and positioning it into a horse-shoe shape with lots of challenging

trials to push the children to test themselves.

The bespoke unit consisted of a Climb Wall, Chain Walk, Balance Pods, Wave Link, Cargo Net, Overhead Bars, Hang Tough, Up & Over, Tyre Crossing and 400mm High Stepping Stones; keeping the kids entertained for hours.

Play & Leisure

musical and visual qualities over many years.

The instruments are supplied preassembled steel and timber frame models with full instructions for installing into any surface.

Acoustic Arts

Ground Control unveils ambitious design and build project

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew has launched its new Children’s Garden to the public, a unique and world class destination play landscape.

The garden, covering an area of 10,000m2 has been brought to life by Ground Control Ltd and has taken forward Kew’s vision to complete the detailed and technical design and construction of the project.

The garden is themed around ‘What Do Plants Need to Grow’ and has taken its inspiration from encouraging children to experience and build a long-lasting

relationship with nature through the creation of a play garden rather than a playground with plants in it.

Working collaboratively with Kew to realise this exciting project within its unique setting, the scheme showcases bespoke and engaging play environments split across the different character zones of Air, Earth, Sun, Water and Pine Tree Wilderness orientated around Oak Tree Circle, a 4m high walkway around the 200-yearold existing Oak.

The play and landscape features have been sympathetically set

amongst the maturity of the gardens existing trees, some of which are TROBI trees of national significance.

The sensitivity of these surroundings required Ground Control to draw upon its experience and arboricultural consultancy capabilities to sympathetically design, specify and construct the scheme around the existing trees and adopt specific working methods including screw piles, hand excavation and full raised construction.

Ground Control

Fitness and play equipment refresh from Sutcliffe Play

Sutcliffe Play recently completed work on the regeneration of King George Playing Field in Nortonon-Derwent.

The site has been refreshed with the installation of new wet pour surfacing, inclusive play equipment, and outdoor gym equipment from the company’s extensive Bodys range.

Being a popular leisure space for local adults and children alike, Sutcliffe Play was challenged with enhancing the space to create an environment that would provide entertainment for children of all ages and abilities, as well as adding to the existing range of fitness equipment on site to encourage a healthy body and mind through physical activity.

Kevin Sellwood, Area Sales Manager at Sutcliffe Play, said: “The nature of the brief meant that we needed to ensure the whole space came together in an appealing way, incorporating new elements that would fit with kit that was already in place.

“Our Bodys outdoor gym equipment is hard-wearing, easy to use, and perfect for customers looking to get visitors engaged with exercise, while enjoying natural surroundings.”

Bodys equipment at the site includes:

• Rider – designed to strengthen the muscles of the arms, abdomen and legs, the Rider features a seat for the user with handles to hold onto, and platforms for feet placement. Users must straighten their legs and at the same time pull the handles together, for an effective workout.

• Romper – for users looking to strengthen muscles in the legs and abdomen, the Romper accommodates one user standing. Users hold the handles and move their legs as far to one side or the other as possible for maximum impact.

• Cross Country Skier –strengthens the muscles of the arms, legs and torso.

Users must stand on the platforms, hold the handles and move their legs in a forwards and backwards motion. The Cross Country Skier also helps to improve motor coordination and has a positive effect on the circulatory-respiratory system.

• Bike – replicating the functionality of a traditional gym bike, riders sit on the seat and hold the handles whilst placing their feet on the pedals. Users then move their legs as if on a traditional bike. The Bike is ideal for strengthening the muscles of the lower limbs and helping to improve circulation.

For children visiting the Playing Field, Sutcliffe Play has introduced a range of play options, including inclusive pieces, to keep children entertained.

www.timberplay.com

Sutcliffe Play

working in partnership with richter spielgeräte to create outstanding spaces for play

Inclusive play at its best thanks to Wicksteed

At Wicksteed, we firmly believe that play should be for all. So it was with a huge sense of excitement that we were able to finally open the gates on our brand new inclusive play area at Harestanes Country Park.

The play area is a product of over 100 years of experience in play. Our expert in house design team pulled on knowledge gathered from numerous play projects throughout the years to create something, unlike any other play area.

Creating inclusive playgrounds is an effective way of bridging the divide between children of various abilities. Inclusive play areas give users from all backgrounds a chance to mix. We wanted to create a space where parents and children of all ages and abilities felt welcome, safe and happy.

Sensory Play

Our bespoke Harestanes Country Park Sensory Boardwalk features a huge variety of sensory play experiences. Sensory play is vital for problem-solving, developing fine and gross motor skills and spatial awareness.

Taking this into account we shaped our design approach to

everything including surfacing, materials, equipment and layout.

The fully inclusive boardwalk features a mixture of surfaces. An exciting array of interactive electronic play panels and wheelchair accessible platforms means bags of play value for all! The site also features our Talking Flowers which provide a great way for children to communicate with each other, from tower to tower.

Inclusive Play

It was important that the new play area provided opportunities for all children. Accessibility was key at Harestanes Country Park.

Inclusive play products such as the Inclusive Swirl Roundabout, sensory boardwalk multi-play and wheelchair friendly swing ensured that children of all abilities would still have lots of fun and interaction.

Path layouts and the overall design of the space ensure an easy transition from equipment to the entrance and exits of the play area.

Bespoke Design

At Wicksteed, we pride ourselves on having the ability to create custom outdoor play area projects. This is summed up perfectly at

Mighty Mote benefits from eibe expertise

Harestanes Country Park. Taking inspiration from the nearby beautiful Jedburgh Abbey, we designed and manufactured a scaled down, climbable version of this iconic structure.

The bespoke version of Jedburgh Abbey is connected to a huge bespoke pyramid structure. On the bespoke unit children can slide down one of two huge slides.

Our completely bespoke sensory boardwalk multi-play is another standout example of Wicksteed bespoke design. Our use of materials, colours and sound mean the play area can be enjoyed by all children for many years.

Wicksteed

The £330,000 play area at Mote Park in Maidstone, Kent, created by eibe Play, opened just before Easter in time for the beautiful holiday sunshine in April 2019.

Following a series of meetings throughout 2018 with local architects, the eibe team set about creating one of its largest playparks for some time.

Working closely with building experts, Kier Construction, as well as Alan Frith, Mote Park Officer at Maidstone Borough Council, the foundations were laid for an all-inclusive play paradise.

The actual play area is part of a much bigger multi-million pound

regeneration project for the whole of Mote Park, including a new Visitor Centre, Adventure Zone with Climbing Wall, Ropes, Mini Golf and Segway.

The stand-out features of the new playground are the Venetos Play unit and the bespoke Sharda Unit, both of which can entertain many kids at the same time.

Complementing the scheme, which is deliberately aimed at children of all abilities, are the likes of a Swing Snake, Aerial Cableway, Lily of the Valley Double Swing, Cherry Play Unit and Satellite Carousel. eibe