Children in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire will soon be able to enjoy the delights of naturally inspired play spaces thanks to the Aylesbury Vale District Council’s ongoing commitment to improving and enhancing its play spaces. Last year, three play spaces were updated, and the second stage of enhancement has now begun with the development of four further imaginative play spaces. To ensure their playgrounds retain their play value Aylesbury Vale District Council have used Timberplay’s durable, innovative product range throughout the program.

The second tranche of improvements has just begun and is due to be completed by March 2010. The combined value of these projects is in the region of £350,000, and Aylesbury District Council have worked with Timberplay to ensure they get the most play value out of their investment. Paul Collings, Managing Director from Timberplay comments on the project:-

“Aylesbury Vale District Council are leading the way in embracing the principles of natural play, using some of Timberplay’s most inventive products to provide the local communities and children with play areas of distinction in a program which seeks to promote outdoor play and benefit physical, social and cognitive development. The first set of installations has been very successful, transforming some underused play areas to destination parks for the surrounding areas.”

Timberplay have recently completed work on Alfred Rose Park, which used imaginative landscaping together with a Timberplay Climbing Structure as a centre piece. Play areas set for work during November and December include; Haddington Way, Denby Walk, and Waivers Way.

The new playgrounds have been developed following consultation with local communities, including children, young people and residents’ associations, to decide how each play area should be developed. The result is a series of creative play spaces using predominately wooden play equipment, sympathetically landscaped to produce attractive environments which provide opportunities for imaginative play focusing on 8-13 year olds. Both Waivers Way and Denby Walk have transparent towers, complete with attachments, and Haddington Way has, amongst other things, a Queen Swing, which boasts three swings linked together over a central pivotal post to provide a novel and interactive twist on the traditional swing.

These are being developed thanks to £355,240 funding from the Department for Children, Schools, and Families Playbuilder Programme. Play areas in Haydon Hill, Meadowcroft and Simpson Place are set for improvement next year.

Email: ros@vividcomms.co.uk