May
What to Include in a Community Park: Encouraging Active Play for All Ages
Creating a well-designed community park is more than just adding a few swings and calling it a day. Parks are vital spaces for improving public health, building social connections, and encouraging active lifestyles across all age groups. With thoughtful planning and the right equipment, community parks can become inclusive, vibrant hubs that support physical activity, learning, and wellbeing.
At Caloo, we’re passionate about helping councils, schools, and developers design outdoor spaces that truly make a difference. With over 17 years of experience in the playground and outdoor fitness industry, we’ve seen how the right mix of features can transform a space—and a community.
The best park equipment for schools and community spaces includes inclusive play units, trim trails, MUGAs, and outdoor gyms. These top-rated options promote fitness, learning, and social development for all ages and abilities.
In this guide, we’ll explore the essential features to include in a community park to promote active play for all, with practical tips and examples based on our nationwide projects.
Why Community Parks Matter More Than Ever
In recent years, sedentary lifestyles have become a growing concern across the UK. With children spending more time on screens and adults facing long working hours, parks offer an important counterbalance. According to the NHS physical activity guidelines, children and young people should engage in moderate to vigorous activity for at least 60 minutes each day. Well-designed parks provide a free, accessible space where families, individuals, and community groups can come together to move, play, and engage—helping to meet those vital activity targets.
But to truly encourage active play, a park needs more than just open space. It requires well-considered design, inclusive equipment, and a welcoming atmosphere that supports movement and interaction for everyone—regardless of age or ability.
Core Design Principles: Setting the Foundation
Before diving into specific features, let’s consider the core principles that should guide every community park project:
• Accessibility: Ensure the park is inclusive of all abilities, with wheelchair-friendly pathways and accessible equipment.
• Safety and durability: Choose materials and layouts that stand the test of time and meet the highest safety standards.
• Engagement: Equip the park with versatile, stimulating equipment that encourages repeat visits and active use.
• Community connection: Consider how the space will serve as a social hub—adding seating, signage, and shared areas can make a big difference.
Must-Have Equipment for Active Play
1. Playground Equipment for All Age Groups
A successful community park includes a mix of equipment that caters to different developmental stages:
• Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS): Think toddler-friendly play panels, springers, small slides, and crawl tunnels. These help build coordination, motor skills, and confidence in young children.
• Primary school-aged children: More adventurous units like play towers with slides, climbing nets, and balance beams are essential for engaging older children.
• Teenagers and young adults: Often overlooked, this age group benefits from dynamic equipment such as trim trails, clamber stacks, or even skate park zones.
Including a range of play equipment ensures that the whole family can enjoy the space—encouraging longer visits and stronger community ties.
2. Trim Trails and Clamber Stacks
Trim trails are a fantastic way to promote physical fitness through play. With features like rope bridges, stepping logs, and balance beams, these trails offer both fun and fitness in one. Clamber stacks and log trails, made from natural timber, are particularly popular in parks that aim to blend with the landscape.
These elements promote agility, strength, and problem-solving—and they’re just as enjoyable for adults as they are for children.
3. Timber Play Equipment for Natural Appeal
Timber playgrounds are increasingly sought after by councils and community groups looking for a more eco-conscious, natural aesthetic. They integrate seamlessly into green spaces and offer tactile, engaging play experiences.
Caloo’s range of timber playground equipment includes climbing frames, zip lines, and nature-inspired trails—all crafted with sustainability in mind.
4. Outdoor Gym Equipment for All Abilities
Why should children have all the fun? Adding outdoor gym equipment encourages teens, adults, and older residents to engage in physical activity, improving overall community health.
Our outdoor fitness solutions include:
• Cardio and strength units for adults.
• Junior gym equipment for older children and teens.
• Accessible units for wheelchair users and older adults with limited mobility.
Whether installed along a path or in a dedicated gym zone, this equipment promotes active lifestyles for all.
5. Inclusive and Accessible Play Equipment
Inclusion is key to building community cohesion. Parks should offer opportunities for children and adults of all abilities to engage equally in play and fitness.
At Caloo, we specialise in inclusive play equipment, including:
• Sensory panels and musical instruments
• Ground-level activities and wheelchair-accessible units
• Swings with supportive seats and harnesses
• Quiet spaces for neurodivergent users
These features not only provide a safe and enriching experience but also send a powerful message: Everyone is welcome here.
Active Sports Zones: MUGAs and More
Multi Use Games Areas (MUGAs)
A MUGA is one of the most efficient ways to provide structured sports opportunities in a limited space. These all-in-one courts can host:
• Football
• Basketball
• Tennis
• Netball
They’re particularly popular in parks and housing developments and can be customised with surfacing, markings, and fencing to suit community needs.
Daily Mile Tracks and Free-Form Fitness Zones
Installing a Daily Mile track encourages walking, jogging, and running without needing a full sports field. Combined with outdoor gym stations, they create a circuit that supports cardiovascular health and social connection.
Surfacing Solutions for Safety and Style
No park design is complete without proper surfacing. Safety, durability, and accessibility are all enhanced with the right materials. Caloo offers:
• Wetpour for soft-fall areas under play equipment
• Bonded rubber mulch for natural-themed zones
• Artificial grass for year-round green aesthetics
• Grass matting for budget-friendly coverage
• SUDS Bond and resin bound gravel for pathways and accessible routes
Not only do these surfaces protect against falls, but they also improve drainage, reduce maintenance, and enhance visual appeal.
Additional Features That Elevate the Experience
Beyond play and fitness, consider adding amenities that make the park more comfortable and community-focused:
• Seating and picnic benches for social interaction
• Shelters or shade canopies for year-round usability
• Water refill stations to promote sustainability
• Bicycle racks and clear signage for accessibility
• Waste and recycling bins to encourage a tidy, eco-conscious environment
These extras help transform a good park into a great one—inviting visitors to stay longer and return often.
Planning and Consultation: Getting the Community Involved
Consulting with the local community, schools, and groups during the planning stage ensures the park truly reflects the needs of its users. For housing developers, Caloo can support compliance with Section 106 planning obligations through the design and delivery of:
• LEAPs (Local Equipped Areas for Play)
• NEAPs (Neighbourhood Equipped Areas for Play)
• LAPs (Local Areas for Play)
We tailor each project to site size, demographics, and developer goals—ensuring value, safety, and long-term satisfaction.
Conclusion: Build a Community Park That Brings People Together
A well-designed community park is a gift to every person who uses it. It promotes active lifestyles, supports mental health, and creates space for connections that strengthen the local fabric. By including the right mix of play, fitness, and inclusive features, councils and developers can create environments where families thrive.
Ready to build a space your community will love? Contact Caloo today to start planning your active, inclusive, and inspiring park.
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