Unearthing History at Scotts Play Park

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Scotts Play Park in Wooler, Northumberland, has long been a much-loved community space. In early 2025, it underwent a major transformation. The goal was to make the park more inclusive, accessible, and enjoyable for the whole community.

As an existing Playdale customer, Wooler Parish Council partnered with us again. We helped redesign and install a new playground. The new playground reflects the community’s vision, allowing children of all ages to play side by side.

A Bombshell Discovery

Every big project has its surprises — but few are as unexpected as finding unexploded bombs from the Second World War beneath our installation. Midway through the redevelopment, contractors uncovered wartime artillery buried under the ground. Work had to stop immediately while bomb disposal experts rushed to the scene to investigate.

What could have been a project-ending discovery instead became a defining moment. The community watched as specialists safely removed not one but 176 World War II practice bombs were discovered.  Once the site was cleared, Playdale and the project team got straight back to work. The delay added something  unexpected  to the build, but it also gave the reopening story a unique twist: not only did the project deliver an inclusive, future-proofed play space, it also unearthed and overcame a literal piece of history.

Building Back Better

With the site declared safe, the focus shifted back to our true mission: creating a playground where every child can play, explore, and grow together. The redesigned Scotts Play Park now boasts an exciting mix of Playdale equipment, including a Timber Adventure Trail, an Inclusive Orbit Roundabout, interactive play panels, two fantastic multi-play units designed for both toddlers and juniors, and a Timber Jungle Climber that challenges balance and coordination.

Alongside the new additions, the park keeps much-loved Playdale favourites like the Ariel Runway and various swings. These retain the park’s familiar character while offering fresh play opportunities.

A Community Celebration

When the park reopened, families flocked to celebrate. The playground was not only brand new but also rich with history. Scotts Play Park is now more than a space to play. It’s a living story the community can share with pride.

For Playdale, the project demonstrates that we can overcome even the biggest challenges — and the most explosive surprises — by keeping safety a top priority in every project.

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