Designer revamps childhood playground


In a shining example of Big Society at its best, one of our employees has designed an impressive £275,000 playground for her very own hometown.

When Barrow Borough Council announced that the dated play area at Dalton Leisure Centre was set for a makeover, playground designer Danielle O’Connor was excited at the prospect of designing for the town she grew up in – and the playground where she spent her own childhood.

Danielle did her utmost to ensure that Playdale would win the contract, creating a tailor-made design based upon her own knowledge of the area. She said, “I spoke to local residents; parents and children alike to see what they wanted from the play area. This influenced my design greatly and I was able to incorporate their needs, along with current trends in the play industry, to create a bespoke playground that I felt would be perfect for Dalton.”

Her hard work paid off when Playdale was awarded the contract, through competitive tender, and work is now underway to overhaul the old play area which featured some play pieces more than 25 years old!

Images of how the playground used to look, and Danielle’s design for how it will look once complete, are shown below.


Related articles

The Ultimate Guide to Outdoor Classrooms
Wednesday, 20th March 2024

In the ever-evolving landscape of education, schools are constantly seeking innovative ways to enhance the outdoor learning experience for students. One approach gaining popularity is the concept of taking lessons outdoors and the outdoor classrooms. What is an outdoor classroom? An outdoor classroom provides primary schools and nurseries with practical, covered spaces for outdoor learning, […]

New Woodland Eco Towers: Where Nature Meets Play
Thursday, 18th January 2024

 Explore the enchanting realm of our Woodland Eco Towers range, where the thrill of multi-level adventures meets the joy of diverse climbing and sliding experiences. Immerse yourself in the perfect fusion of sustainability and natural play with a selection of twelve units. Designed for ages 5-12, children of all ages can experience a magical […]

Beyond Play: The Social Impact of Playgrounds
Tuesday, 16th January 2024

Beyond Play: The Social Impact of Playgrounds Playgrounds are magical places where laughter, fun, and the pure joy of childhood come together. But their importance goes beyond just play! In this blog post, let’s dive into the wonderful world of playgrounds and discover how they positively impact child development, encourage outdoor play, improve community parks, […]