Hamsey village is located three miles north of Lewes. It lies off the A275, which runs between Lewes and Forest Row.
In mid-2022, Hamsey Parish Council invited eibe Play to meet with them to discuss refurbishing their play area in Malthouse Way.
The existing play space comprised mostly wooden play equipment on wet pour pads. The play equipment had come towards the end of its working life.
eibe Play was tasked to create a natural-looking play space that provided the local children with fun and challenging play equipment with an all-accessible surface. eibe Play specialises in all these, so they jumped at the chance of submitting our design proposal.
Due to the proximity to local houses, it was even more important that the play area blended into the natural surroundings and did not include bright colours.
The Parish made it clear to eibe Play that this play area is to be designed for children from 2 years old. The first process was to identify the equipment we would like to include; it was necessary at this point to have the right amount of play equipment that caters for as vast age groups as possible. Also, with this in mind, it is essential to include the right amount of play value. Which also offers the children various play feature options to use the play space. This could consist of swinging, bouncing, balancing and jumping. Due to the size of the play area, it was even more critical that eibe looked at the play equipment choices in more detail to ensure we got the right balance for all the local children that may use this play space.
For this play space, eibe chose their amazing ecorino Softwood pine range. eibe Play felt this would offer the play area a natural look while providing the local children with the right type of play equipment. As the children enter the play space, they are greeted by the fantastic K2 Climbing Unit. This climbing piece provides numerous play experiences such as sliding, climbing and jumping while offering key learning and development opportunities such as role play and social interaction. The unique features of this item allow children from 2-10 years to play together due to the various platform heights and more manageable and challenging ascents. Our quirky nature-themed Lady Bug Rocker is around this unique Climbing Unit, providing toddlers with a fun play item that promotes eye-hand coordination and balance skills. To the top of the play area, our fantastic Nest Swing will allow children of all ages to experience swinging and the thrills and challenges it provides. However, the Nest seat promotes relaxation and social skills. This item also allows children with lesser abilities the opportunity to play alongside their friends or siblings.
To complete this area, we include our Lily Pad Jumping Plates, that rock side to side, and our Sensory Rain Wheel. These items promote key learning and development skills whilst also being extremely fun!
Natural, safer surfaces were chosen throughout this scheme to ensure it kept in with the beautiful surroundings. Bonded mulch in browns and greens with various natural patterns, this surface ensured it was accessible all year round for all users. This is equally important for prams and wheelchairs. Using grass matting allows the grass to eventually grow through the matting, blending the play area further into the local area.
Work started in mid-April, with the rip out of the first stage of careers to commence, with the play area opened to the public in early May. eibe Play is very proud of this play space and looks forward to working alongside the council for years to come to ensure this play space is a success for years to come.