The Vision
Hazlemere Parish Council wanted to revitalise The Spinney Playground at Hazlemere Recreation Ground. The existing play area had become outdated over time and no longer reflected the needs of the growing community. The aim was to create a modern, welcoming, and engaging play space for children aged two to twelve.
At the same time, the Council wanted to preserve the natural character of the site. Long-term durability, safer surfacing, and improved play value were all important parts of the brief. The project also needed to provide a broad range of activities that encouraged movement, social interaction, and imaginative play.
Key objectives included:
- Creating a safe and modern community playground.
- Refreshing outdated equipment and surfacing.
- Preserving important existing site features, including the mature central tree.
- Delivering a wide range of physical and sensory play opportunities.
- Installing durable, low-maintenance safer surfacing.
- Creating a playground that complemented the surrounding landscape.
As a result, Caloo worked closely with Hazlemere Parish Council throughout the design and installation process. The final design balanced play value, durability, safety, and long-term community use.
The Solution
Caloo designed and installed a fully refreshed playground environment featuring new play equipment, sensory play features, bespoke seating, and colourful safer surfacing.
The completed layout now provides a wide variety of activities suitable for different ages and abilities. In addition, the design creates a more visually engaging and welcoming community space.
Key installations included:
- Quali Cité Osmoz Junior 4 Multiplay Unit (2–12 years) – Supporting climbing, sliding, and social play.
- Vinci Wheelchair Roundabout – Encouraging shared and interactive play experiences.
- Quali Cité Small Caterpillar Bridge – Supporting coordination and balance activities.
- Vinci Swings (2.3m high) – Including both a flat seat and cradle seat.
- Sensory Play Features – Including a Texture Turtle Play Panel, Rain Wheel, Bongo Tree, and Communications Panel.
- Vinci Wobble Board, Balance Beam & Pull Bars – Supporting movement, coordination, and physical confidence.
- Quali Cité Duck & Frog Springers – Adding imaginative and dynamic play opportunities.
- Bespoke Octagonal Tree Seat – Designed around the mature central tree to preserve a key focal point within the playground.
- Wet Pour Rubber Surfacing – Installed using a blend of colourful finishes to create a durable and visually engaging safer surface.
- Mulch Bond Surfacing – Providing a natural-looking finish within selected areas.
- Rubber Edging & Access Improvements – Delivering a neat and durable perimeter finish.
Key Considerations
One of the most important parts of the project was preserving the existing character of the site while delivering a complete playground refresh.
The mature central tree was highly valued by both the Parish Council and the local community. Therefore, the layout was carefully designed around the tree rather than removing it. Caloo also installed a bespoke octagonal timber seating area around the base, helping to turn the tree into a natural gathering point within the playground.
The design also needed to provide a strong mix of activities for children of different ages. For this reason, the layout included movement-based play, sensory play features, and interactive equipment throughout the site.
Additional considerations included:
- Retaining selected existing play equipment requested by the community.
- Delivering a low-maintenance solution suitable for long-term public use.
- Managing the removal and disposal of outdated equipment safely.
- Minimising disruption to the surrounding recreation ground during installation works.
- Ensuring all equipment and surfacing met BS EN1176 and BS EN1177 safety standards.
Throughout the project, Caloo maintained clear communication with the Parish Council to ensure all works were delivered efficiently and to specification.
The Impact
The completed Spinney Playground has transformed the recreation ground into a modern and engaging community play space.
The refreshed layout now offers a stronger variety of play experiences while improving the overall appearance and usability of the site. In addition, the combination of colourful surfacing, movement-based play, and sensory activities has helped create a more welcoming environment for local families.
Project outcomes included:
- A modern playground refresh designed for long-term community use.
- Improved play value for a wide age range.
- New safer surfacing suitable for year-round use.
- A visually engaging layout that complements the surrounding landscape.
- A bespoke seating feature that preserves the identity of the site.
- Durable, low-maintenance materials suitable for public recreation spaces.
The refurbished playground has already received positive feedback from local residents and families. Many have praised the updated layout, improved appearance, and welcoming atmosphere created through the refurbishment.
Through thoughtful design, collaborative working, and high-quality installation, Caloo successfully delivered a long-lasting Hazlemere playground refurbishment that will support outdoor play and community use for years to come.