Natural play areas (play pathfinder)

What is the Play Pathfinder?  /  Photos of the play areas  /  Bourne Estate  /  Cantelowes Gardens  /  Coram’s Fields  /  Cumberland Market  /  Elm Village  /  Highgate Newtown  /  Kilburn Grange Park – the adventure begins  /  Maygrove Peace Park  /  Purchese Street  /  Sumatra Road  /  Talacre Gardens  /  Waterlow Park  /  Whitfield Street  /  Peckwater Estate - open  /  Ingestre Road - open

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What is the Play Pathfinder? 

We were one of only 20 authorities to successfully bid for year one of the government’s Play Pathfinder money, receiving almost £2.7 million from the Department for Children Schools and Families (DCSF). The funding was for 28 natural play areas and one adventure playground.

Natural play areas differ from more traditional playgrounds using recycled and sustainable materials, and encouraging more adventurous and imaginative play.

12 sites were open by April 2009.  The remaining 16 and the new adventure playground at Kilburn Grange Park will be open by April 2010.

The 16 sites are:

Peckwater Estate - open
this play area features mounds, ravines, balancing poles, bridges, a rope swing and a three-tier climbing net and brightly coloured tree grove. A central quiet hub provides a space for more quiet play.

Ingestre Road - open
A tree house on top of a grassy mound is accessed by various routes, including a pull-rope and post slalom. After all the climbing, seating at the top of the mound provides a more social space. Other features include a periscope, a talk tube connecting different parts of the site, and a den beneath the tree house. New planting will enhance the look of this natural play area.

Maiden Lane
A Parkour or free running zone is an exciting design element on this site. Vertical boards can be used for climbing, swinging, flipping, scaling, hanging and running while horizontal boards will offer different climbing challenges. There will also be a walkway through the trees, a swinging hammock, a quiet area and seasonal planting.

Judd Street
The reworking of this site will result in mounds, a large climbing boulder and a sensory play area designed in partnership with the nearby Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB). It will include spinning discs and planting chosen for visually impaired children and young people.

Tybalds Estate
This revamp of the existing play area will retain original equipment with added items for an older age group. The site will be re-landscaped with planting and mounding and include a new pod swing, a climbing tree, balance beams and boulders for playing and sitting on.

Burnham on the Chalcot Estate (Adelaide Road)
The area will have a pod swing, balancing beam and boulders to play and sit on. An embankment slide will link the existing toddlers’ playground and new play area with added play facilities. Planting and seating will replace the existing fence.

Lymington Road
A big solar powered light source will illuminate a tree house.
A tree den area with a series of stepping stones and climbing logs in a wild flower meadow will extend out into a catwalk style play feature.

Abbey Road
A central tree house with viewing platforms will look onto a wild flower meadow and a series of raised grassy mounds connected by climbing logs.

Iverson Road
A dramatic raised deck will be created through the existing trees. Additional play features will be part of the structure including a rope swing and fire fighter’s poll.

Alexandra and Ainsworth
A route is being created through different areas on the estate ending with play structures and climbing trees. New climbing equipment will have a zebra print design.

Goldington
At consultation and design stage.

Leighton Crescent
At consultation and design stage.

Belsize Woods
At consultation and design stage.

Calthorpe Project
At consultation and design stage.

Denton Estate
At consultation and design stage.

Cressfield and Woodward
At consultation and design stage.

The adventure playground will be at:

• Kilburn Grange Park

How can I find out more?

For more information about the12 play areas, the 16 to be developed, and the adventure playground please contact the play service

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Page last updated Jan 11, 2010 3:34 PM