Haslemere Town Council approached eibe Play in early 2026 with a clear ambition: to breathe new life into a tired, underused play area at the heart of their community. Situated within a popular open space close to housing estates, local schools, and key amenities, the existing play area had fallen into disuse. Outdated equipment offered minimal play value, and a loose-fill bark surface made the space inaccessible for wheelchair users and pram pushers — particularly during the wetter months. The community deserved better.
The Council's vision was straightforward but ambitious: create a play space that is welcoming for everyone, accessible all year round, and rich in play experiences for children aged 2 to 14. Inclusivity was at the heart of the brief — no child, carer, or visitor should feel excluded.
eibe Play's Play Consultant, Stuart Evans, met with the Council on site to fully understand the requirements and the unique character of the location. From there, eibe Play developed a design that maximised play value across every age group and ability level.
Key design decisions included:
- Natural wet pour surfacing — A durable, natural-looking surface was chosen to replace the old bark mulch. This provides year-round accessibility for wheelchair users and pram pushers, while blending beautifully with the open green space.
- Robinia hardwood equipment — eibe Play selected their popular hardwood Robinia range, chosen for its low-maintenance qualities and natural aesthetic.
- Expanded play area footprint — The play area was enlarged to accommodate a wider range of exciting features.
- Multi-play units for juniors and toddlers — Offering climbing ladders, crossing nets, slides, play panels, and climbing walls, these units support eye-hand coordination, upper body strength, and imaginative play.
- Inclusive and accessible features — A unique Wheelchair Accessible Seesaw, swings for all ages and abilities, a balancing trail, Satellite Carousel, and interactive play panels ensure every visitor can participate.
- Quiet zones — Relaxation areas were incorporated to support children who benefit from calmer spaces, encouraging social interaction at a comfortable pace.
Installation began in February 2026, and the play area opened to the public on a glorious spring afternoon in May. eibe Play staff were on hand to distribute goodie bags and witness the ribbon-cutting ceremony, while Haslemere Town Council treated the community to free ice cream.
The transformation has delivered a vibrant, inclusive play space that the whole community can enjoy — from toddlers taking their first steps on the balancing trail, to older children conquering the climbing walls, to wheelchair users accessing every corner of the site with ease.
"eibe Play are extremely proud to have worked alongside Haslemere Town Council on this fantastic new play space, and look forward to working alongside the council for years to come."
