The Vision
This Kensworth play area had served the community for over 20 years before the council asked Caloo to reimagine it. With funding from the National Lottery Community Fund, the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and local contributions, the council set out to create a space that promotes imagination, physical development and inclusive play for children up to 12.
The parish council wanted a play area that served the whole community, from toddlers through to children up to 12 years old, with a strong focus on inclusive and imaginative play. After more than 20 years, the existing equipment needed a full rethink rather than a repair, and community input shaped the design throughout.
Key objectives for the Kensworth play area included:
- Serving the whole community, from toddlers to children up to 12 years old.
- Delivering inclusive and intergenerational play, not just play for young children.
- Replacing equipment that had served the community for over 20 years.
- Shaping the design around community input.
The Solution
First, the reimagined playground centres on a Quali-Cité castle multiplay unit, alongside a Vinci square trampoline and agility trail. In addition, an accessible Vinci wheelchair roundabout and an intergenerational “You and Me” swing widen who can use the space, while sensory panels, themed springers and traditional Vinci swings round out the play offer. Finally, Caloo added steel bench seating throughout and resurfaced the site in multi-coloured wetpour safety surfacing.
Key installations included:
- Quali-Cité castle multiplay unit
- Vinci square trampoline
- Agility trail
- Vinci wheelchair roundabout (accessible)
- “You and Me” swing (intergenerational)
- Bongo and Maze sensory panels
- Crocodile, Knight and Dragon Duo springers
- Vinci swings
- 1.8m steel bench with backrest
- Wetpour safety surfacing, Standard Green, Nike Sand Rubber, Water Blend and Light Grey, across 40mm/50mm/60mm depths
Key Considerations
Catering for children up to 12 within one space meant balancing accessible and intergenerational equipment against imaginative play for younger children.
Additional considerations included:
- Balancing the accessible wheelchair roundabout and “You and Me” swing against play built for younger children.
- Laying the wetpour surfacing across three different depths depending on fall height.
- Using four surfacing colours to define different zones of the play area.
The Impact
Rachel Hopkins MP officially opened this Kensworth play area, and children rushed in as she cut the ribbon. Overall, the community has warmly received it, and it gives Kensworth a play space built for imagination, physical development and inclusion across the whole age range, designed to last.
Project outcomes included:
- A play space built for imagination, physical development and inclusion across the whole age range.
- Accessible and intergenerational play equipment widening who can use the space.
- A warm reception from the community, marked by an official opening with Rachel Hopkins MP.
- Durable surfacing designed to last.
“Our amazing new play area was officially opened by Rachel Hopkins MP. It was incredible to see the children rush in with excitement as the ribbon was cut, a true testament to our vision becoming a reality.”Parish Council Clerk