The council's brief called for an accessible and inclusive play area that would encourage physical activity, social interaction and child development — helping to improve health and wellbeing, strengthen community cohesion and provide positive recreational opportunities for local families. The design needed to serve children across a wide age range, from toddlers through to early teens, while ensuring high play value, appropriate levels of challenge and long-term enjoyment.
eibe submitted a compelling design proposal that demonstrated how the site could be transformed into a vibrant neighbourhood playground where children of all ages and abilities could play, explore and develop together. The proposal included the removal of the existing two swing sets and single seesaw, replacing them with a rich and varied range of new play equipment across a thoughtfully planned layout.
Working closely with the site's existing conditions, the eibe projects and design teams navigated several challenges — including sloping ground and areas prone to water collection. Rather than treating these as obstacles, the team turned them into opportunities to improve the long-term functionality of the space. Equipment positions were carefully considered, level adjustments were incorporated where necessary, and continuous all-weather wetpour surfacing was specified throughout to ensure the play area remains accessible, safe and usable in all seasons.
Inclusive Design at the Core
Inclusivity sits at the heart of the Glebelands design. The playground was planned around the principles of inclusive play, creating an environment where children with physical, sensory and cognitive disabilities can play alongside their friends and families. Accessible routes, inclusive equipment and carefully considered circulation encourage independent use while promoting social interaction for all users.
Key inclusive features include:
- Integration Carousel with wheelchair access
- Adventure Sensory Den with interactive sensory panels
- Accessible Spinning Bowl
- Nest Swing
- Emotions Communication Panel
- Low-Level Net Trail
- Flower Jumping Plates
These features encourage shared experiences between disabled and non-disabled children, supporting communication, confidence, sensory regulation and independent play. All-weather wetpour surfacing throughout the site ensures wheelchair users, pushchair users and families can comfortably navigate the entire play space year-round.
The equipment selection was carefully curated to provide a broad spectrum of play experiences. Children can climb, crawl, swing, spin, bounce, balance, jump, rock and traverse across the playground — developing strength, coordination and spatial awareness while naturally building resilience, confidence and social skills. Opportunities for imaginative and sensory play are balanced with high-energy activities, ensuring the playground appeals to a wide variety of personalities and play preferences.
The playground is divided into dedicated toddler and junior zones, allowing children to experience age-appropriate levels of challenge while encouraging siblings of different ages to play within the same overall environment. The layout provides a logical progression of play, creating a safe and intuitive experience that supports children as they grow in confidence and ability.
The design respects the site's surroundings by avoiding noisy equipment, enclosed play spaces and timber components. Instead, the result is an attractive, contemporary metal play environment that is robust, low maintenance and capable of withstanding heavy public use. Colourful, engaging play equipment is complemented by muted, natural-toned wetpour surfacing that will remain durable and easy to maintain for years to come.
The Glebelands Play Area has been designed in accordance with BS EN 1176 and BS EN 1177 safety standards and informed by the principles of successful play space design and PiPA inclusive design guidance.
Outcome
The finished playground at Glebelands provides a lasting community asset that will encourage healthy, active and imaginative play for generations of children in Harlow. The project stands as a testament to eibe Play's commitment to creating exceptional outdoor environments that place communities at their heart — and the team at eibe were incredibly proud to be part of it.
