Situated within a new housing development, adjacent to a community nature reserve and a newly built primary school, the site demanded a play environment capable of withstanding high daily footfall while remaining sensitive to its natural surroundings. The design needed to appeal to a broad age range, champion inclusive play, and integrate seamlessly with the landscape.
eibe worked in close collaboration with Lawrence Foote, the working group, and key stakeholders from the outset. Beginning in March 2024, the design evolved through multiple rounds of refinement — carefully balancing equipment selection, accessibility, play value, and landscaping to arrive at a solution that exceeded the original vision.
The final design was approved in December 2024. Comprehensive site inspections were completed in June 2025 to ensure the heavily landscaped environment accurately reflected the approved scheme and that all equipment met the relevant safety standards.
Construction presented real-world challenges: a three-month installation programme was impacted by prolonged periods of heavy rainfall, requiring careful phasing around suitable weather windows. Despite these conditions, the project was delivered to an exceptional standard.
The completed playground is a natural Robinia hardwood play environment that feels entirely at home within the adjacent nature reserve. Wet pour safety surfacing is woven together with landscaped mounds, natural timber, boulders, and extensive planting to create a space that is as beautiful as it is functional.
At the heart of the playground stands a striking Paradiso climbing structure featuring a 2-metre-high stainless steel slide. This is complemented by:
- An clambering climbing unit
- An inclusive seesaw
- An accessible roundabout
- A two-bay swing with nest and flat seats
- Stainless steel musical chimes
- Trim Trail
- A grass kickabout area for informal ball games
A landscaped play mound adds a second stainless steel embankment slide, natural log climbing features, and three spring rockers — creating a focal point for younger children that blends seamlessly into the surrounding landscape.
Today, the Berewood play area has become a thriving community hub. It is well used by local families, pupils from the nearby primary school, and youth groups including Scouts and Beavers who regularly visit the adjacent nature reserve. The combination of challenging play, inclusive equipment, natural landscaping, and high-quality materials has created a destination that not only meets the needs of the growing community — it will continue to do so for many years to come.
