1989 – Jack Croasdale meets the Princess Royal at the opening of the Horse Guard Parade Play Area, Hyde Park.
1981 – The original classic Adventure Trail was designed and launched.
1978 – Playdale Playgrounds was born! The playground at Leven Valley Playing Fields in Haverthwaite was old and needed to be replaced. Jack Croasdale was building the new community centre at the time and asked his son John to get some playground equipment brochures. Once they saw that some of the equipment was constructed from timber logs, they decided to make their own.
In 1978 they built three other playgrounds and in 1983 they finished the old timber business to focus solely on building playground equipment
Old Factory Yard
1978: 4 Employees
Pride in Place Funding for Local Authorities: Delivering Community Playgrounds Investing in high-quality playground infrastructure enables Local Authorities to maximise Pride in Place funding while delivering a visible, long-term community impact. Transforming investment into stronger, more connected communities The UK Government’s Pride in Place funding programme is a powerful opportunity to invest in […]
Playground design in the UK has been evolving rapidly as we move through 2026, with changes in playground equipment, school playground design, and community spaces driving new expectations. At Playdale, we believe playgrounds are more than just an outdoor space. They’re a vital part of creating healthier, more connected communities. As part of our Play […]
Inclusive playground design, done well, is invisible, not because it’s hidden, but because it’s so naturally woven into the design that no child has to think about it. They just play. Together. It’s about more than just adding a single accessible feature. It’s about creating spaces where all children can play together. More Than […]
