Staveley’s Sensational Playground

Customer: Staveley Village Association

Budget: £126,000

Located at the foot of the tranquil Kentmere Valley and surrounded by picturesque countryside, Staveley is a charming village in the Lake District. The Staveley Village Association, a registered charity, takes pride in offering social, cultural, educational, and recreational facilities to the local community.

The most recent undertaking of the village association was the renovation of their playground. Having not received an update since 2009, the playground was in need of modernisation. The association is overjoyed with the outcome of the refurbishment, which has transformed an outdated space into a fun and interactive space for all members of the community to enjoy.

The project was made possible through a variety of funding sources. These included a fantastic fundraising effort by the whole community, which involved local business donors, grants from the Cumbria Community Foundation and The National Lottery Community Fund. There were also community fundraising events such as Easter Egg Hunts, Family Fun Runs and Film Screenings.

The Playground Design Team was tasked with creating a playground proposal that would wow the community and be in keeping with the local area.  Led by the 2D Playground Design Manager, Matt Harby, and the 3D Visualiser, Matthew Luxton, the team produced an exceptional presentation to the community that showcased the proposed playground equipment. Local businesses were also given the opportunity to contribute to the project and sponsor a piece of playground equipment which received a positive response.

The recently revamped play area boasts a range of imaginative play and creativity opportunities for children of all ages. Among the many fantastic pieces of playground equipment are a Giggleswick Plus multi-play tower unit from our Little Hamlets Plus range, a Log Cabin, a Spring Motorbike, a Hammock, a Rota Bounce, an inclusive Gravity Bowl, a Timber Seesaw, a Canyon Bridge, a three-bay swing with not one….but two inclusive swing seats.

During the installation we encountered some challenges relating to the existing playgrounds tunnel mound and slides. However, we found a great solution to overcome the issue of the weathered slope no longer being able to accommodate the existing slides and the difficulty in laying rubber mulch over the edges. We opted to concrete and form the bonded rubber mulch surfacing around the existing edges of the mound which not only saved our client money but also resulted in a sleek and smooth finish.

Themed playground equipment included a Play Tractor with personalised Staveley number plate and an Ice Cream Playhouse which was sponsored by a nearby business Kimi’s Gelato.

The new playground is a wonderful social gathering place for families and the community, as well as a great location for children to have fun. Parents, grandparents, and carers can meet and socialise while their children are entertained for hours with the addition of an outdoor shelter and picnic benches.

The opening of the playground was a major affair for the village, featuring a lively street parade by the Staveley Samba Band, a barbecue, local business benefactors and Commonwealth weightlifter Precious McKenzie MBE. This fantastic new community play area is the culmination of the Staveley Village Association and the tireless efforts of the local community. They can take pride in creating a space that children will relish for years to come.

If you are considering upgrading your play area and would like to arrange a free, no obligation consultancy meeting and site survey with your local Area Manager, click here. We look forward to hearing from you.