Fun times ahead for visitors to Oak Tree Animals’ Charity

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Client:                  Oak Tree Animals’ Charity

Location:             Oak Tree Farm, Wetheral Shields, Carlisle

“The service from Playdale has been fantastic every step of the way, and every member of staff in the chain has been excellent. Oak Tree Animals’ Charity is delighted with their final product, I couldn’t recommend them more highly.” Holly Parkinson, Capital Appeal & Partnership Manager at Oak Tree Animals’ Charity

Oak Tree is a pretty amazing charity that provides a safe place for many animals in a time of need. Not only do they take in and rehome dogs, cats and horses at their fantastic 62-acre site, they also go out into the community and local schools to raise awareness as part of its education programme.  They work with people to support & encourage long-term healthy relationships between the animals and their owners.

They rely on help from many different avenues including volunteering, fundraising, donating and paying a visit to their tearooms, the woodland and to meet the resident animals. Holly Parkinson, Capital Appeal & Partnership Manager at Oak Tree Animals’ Charity wanted to make the most of the outdoor space they have available and install a much-needed playground to welcome more people to the charity and offer a safe place for children to play whilst their parents enjoy a cup of tea close by.

Holly wanted to ensure that the play area would cater for a wide age range, and for children of all abilities so that all visitors could join in the fun. Our design team included a great mix of equipment to meet this brief, all the time making sure the project was kept within budget. The new playground was funded by a combination of grants from Cumbria Waste Management Environment Trust and Cumbria County Council.

The new play area really does have something for everyone. The superb long Timber Adventure Trail starts with a Trail Tunnel, features Parallel Ropes, Mini Web, Wavy Bars, Rocking Log, Tilted Walk, Log Walks, Combo 6 and ends with Striding Stilts. The featured inclusive items are a Gravity Bowl, a Gravity Rider and a Timber Team Swing. In keeping with the nature of the site there is also a Pony Seesaw and in the centre of the play area younger children can enjoy the Little Hamlet Plus Toddler Multi Play Unit (in All Green). An Entrance Sign and Timber Slatted Bin provide the perfect finishing touches.

A fantastic new facility like this was most definitely worthy of a grand opening! A great time was had by all with the play equipment well and truly ‘tried and tested’! A very special guest was given the honour of cutting the ribbon. Amazing young supporter Alfie Curtis saved up and donated his precious pocket money to help the Oak Tree Charity and his rescue dog Moose.  Mike Zeller from BBC Radio Cumbria shared the ribbon cutting duties, accompanied by Oakley the charity’s mascot. Families gathered to watch the occasion and enjoy the afternoon which included space hopper ‘horse racing’ and Adventure Trail time trials!

General manager Caroline Johnson said: “We are delighted to also be able to offer our community a much-needed playground in our area. Open seven days a week from 10am-4pm, we can now provide a safe place for children to play, learn about animals and for parents to enjoy a cup of tea while supervising their child as they use the playground.”

Click here if you’d like to meet with your local Playdale Area Manager to discuss any aspect of your playground project and click here to visit the Oak Tree Animals’ Charity website.

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