Winning new play area at Waresley Park Garden Centre


Stephen Baker, the manager of Waresley Park Garden Centre in Bedfordshire contacted us to request a catalogue, and at the same time arranged one of Playdale’s free, no obligation consultancy and site survey appointments. Our Area Manager for the Southern Central Region met with Stephen to discuss his play equipment requirements and conduct a survey of the site.

The garden centre had recently opened a fantastic new café and they were looking for a play area to be built alongside the cafe on an area of land that had been allocated for this purpose. Providing a play facility like this at a garden centre, particularly next to a café that has outdoor seating, can increase customer footfall significantly.

Various equipment options and combinations were discussed during the consultation. In the end it was decided that a few different types of play equipment, catering for different ages and abilities would serve the area best, and the play area proposal was designed and drawn up by our design team at head office. This included a scaled plan, tailored quotation, artist’s impression and photographic visuals.

The proposal was presented back to Stephen and his fellow directors at Waresley Park a short time afterwards, and they were all impressed with our design. A few weeks later they decided that they wanted to make a couple of minor changes. We revised the proposal accordingly and they then placed their order with us.

We were delighted that this now meant there would be a brand new designated Playdale play area to complement the superb new garden centre café and provide an added attraction for all the garden centre’s visitors.

The equipment included in the design was; a Tottlebank Plus  toddler multi play unit from our Little Hamlets Plus range, an Orangutan Jungle Climber from our Climbers range, a stainless steel Gravity Bowl from our Movers range, a timber Toddler Swing  and two products from our Springers range; the Spring Horse and the Spring Motorbike. Grasslok interlocking rubber tiles were used to provide safety surfacing beneath the equipment. These tiles still allow the existing grass to grow through and the area can be mown in the usual way.

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Following the installation, the reaction and feedback was superb. Stephen said that “Playdale delivered and installed a professional playground which we are very happy with”.

If you 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.


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