Children from Brookside Primary School, High Lane, Nr Stockport got
to try out the National Trust’s new Crow Wood Playscape at Lyme Park
when it officially opened in October giving it full marks.
The Playscape which includes equipment from Sheffield based
Timberplay, is an innovative new way to encourage children to create
their own play and shape it within and around the natural landscape.
From a bespoke tree house, interconnecting timber and rope walkways,
to tunnels, a giant slide and huge badger set, the Playscape offers
limitless scope for imaginations to run wild, and provides a place
for children to explore, discover and be challenged, as David
Morgan, general manager of Lyme Park, said:
"The whole idea behind the Playscape project was to provide a
natural space which could become a play area with a difference.
These days, many children simply don't have enough access to the
outdoors and environment around us - which is a basic part of
growing up. Crow Wood Playscape is somewhere where children can
simply play, use their imaginations creatively, take acceptable
levels of risk, challenge one another, and, most of all, have a
really enjoyable time."
Thanks to a £250,000 grant from WREN, a not for profit business that
awards grants to community projects across the UK on behalf of Waste
Recycling Group (WRG), work to construct the Playscape began in Crow
Wood in late spring. From then on, visitors to Lyme Park could only
wonder at the hive of activity taking place in this usually quiet
part of the estate as the Playscape gradually took shape.
Construction however was not without its own memorable moments, as
Sara Burdett, the Trust's project co-ordinator recalls:
"At one point we had to call on the services of a giant Sikorsky
helicopter which normally flies between Lands End and the Scilly
Isles. The helicopter was the only way we could transport four
massive pyramid timber towers, each twelve metres high and which
form part of the playscape's structure - into their positions in
Crow Wood. Their size, weight, and where they needed to be on the
hillside made it impossible to use anything else. Luckily everything
went according to plan."
"Crow Wood Playscape started with ideas from families and our local
community. We asked them what they wanted and how they wanted it -
so the themes, features and challenges of the Playscape truly
reflect the aspirations of our visitors young and old, which they
can now enjoy. Following a series of consultations with Access
groups we've also ensured that the Playscape is accessible - so it
really is a great adventure for everyone."
Peter Cox, managing director of WREN, said he was delighted that
Crow Wood was ready to open: "WREN is committed to funding projects
that make a real difference to local communities, children and
families. The Crow Wood Playscape will provide a fantastic space for
local people to get outdoors and have some fun. We're delighted to
support the National Trust and Groundwork to make this happen and
look forward to the opening of the project later this month."
Environmental charity Groundwork Cheshire worked to design and
deliver the Crow Wood Playscape project in conjunction with
chartered landscape architects DW Design. Visible Changes Ltd
landscape contractors constructed the Playscape, along with Hillan
and Hunter specialist carpenters and Timberplay play equipment
providers.
Crow Wood Playscape is open daily throughout the year, 8am - 6pm
(closed Christmas Day). Normal park admission applies.
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