WELCOME TO
We have earned a reputation for our exceptional skill in crafting playground designs tailored to each unique site. Our expertise lies in optimising both space and budget to maximise your resources, ensuring a playground that precisely meets your requirements. In addition to bespoke playground designs, we offer a diverse range of catalogue playground equipment, available for individual purchase or integration into larger playground layouts.
The follow information will talk you through our process from first contact to end result
Why Us?
Fast Turnover
Our UK based workshop works to the highest standard and aims to dramatically reduce lead times for all of our playground equipment. We are able to supply and install playground equipment in under 6 weeks, even if our products are tailored to specifications.
Extensive safety knowledge
PlayEquip are here to design, or assist in the design of your perfect playground. From conception to construction, our designers and on site workforce have a comprehensive understanding of the European Playground Equipment Standards (EN 1176). This gives you the freedom to develop the perfect project with confidence, knowing that however wacky or quirky the playground is, the design is completely safe for all ages.
Site Specific Design
We understand that every project is unique and that the most effective way to make the most of your space / budget is to design site specific playground.
The Process
We have a unique and new approach to designing, developing, fabrication and installing playground equipment and play spaces. The following information should hopefully show you how this simple and refined process creates a superior final product to what is currently on offer from the rest of the industry.
Our projects range from the refurbishment of existing playgrounds to the development of entirely new ones. Our clients range from, but not exclusively of private individuals, community groups, councils, schools, nurseries, architects, landscape architects and developers. Designs created often include a mix of bespoke play structures, semi bespoke playground equipment, and ‘off-the-shelf’ playground equipment, depending on the requirement of the project. To achieve the best results, collaboration is key, and the following simple steps help to ensure the best outcome.
As space becomes more limited and the value of play spaces more appreciated, we offer an alternative to the traditional way of procuring and installing playground equipment. Our design led approach is also more flexible to budgets. Being flexible in design means that we can make the most of not just ever meter of space, but every penny too. Adaptable designs allow for bolt on additions that maximise play value. This is turn creates more organic spaces that fit perfectly within their local environment, rather than trying to shoehorn equipment into and given space.
Our usual process for the design, quotation, fabrication, and installation for a new project is as follows.
Design phase
The first stage of the process is for our client to issue information regarding the proposed site. This information can include site plan, current photographs of the area, precedent imagery of aesthetic, equipment required and a rough idea of the budget. A site visit is recommended but not vital as a lot of our work is done off plan. The better the brief we the receive, the more refined the design can be.
Site visit and introduction –
- Budget – Understanding this is important to maximise capacity of space.
- Aesthetic - Materiality of equipment. Style and form
- Location and scale - Identify the specific location and size of play area.
- Logistics - Site accessibility, services, access to water, power, and welfare
- Equipment required - Preferences in play opportunities.
- Time – Programme for the development. Design, fabrication, and installation
- Surfacing – A discussion over the maintenance and overall aesthetic to inform most suitable safety surfacing
From all the information compiled above, we will then commence with the design phase of the play space
Conceptual Design and Quotation
3D model of play area created to give a clear idea of our design. This also assists in the first step of coordinating with an independent play safety inspector. The designs are created in parallel with identifying costs. We are a firm believer in being realistic when it comes to design and budget. Under promise but over deliver is our mantra.
Once complete our designs and quotation is deliver to our client. This clearly lays out our scheme and thoughts. Any thoughts and changes are then submitted by our client. Final tweaks are then made to the design to get things just right.
Playground Equipment Production
Production starts on the fabrication of the equipment and an agreed date of installation is booked. Depending on the scale of the project, equipment is normally ready to deliver within 8-10 from confirmation.
Playground Installation
Equipment is then delivered to site. Our expert team of installers and project manager will coordinate with the person responsible for the site to assure the equipment is installed and quickly and hassle free as possible.
Prior to completion, we will organise an independent play safety inspector to visit the site and create a ‘pre-completion inspection’. The idea of this is to highlight any play safety issues that were not picked up during the design phase. Although rare, any issues are then resolved by our onsite team. This process means that no matter how ambitious the design, all of our playgrounds are as safe as possible. A final play safety report is then submitted. A belt and braces approach to play safety, but one we have found most reassuring to our clients. The safety of our work is our top priority. Once these are complete and signed off, the project is handed over
Playground Maintenance
Although our equipment is design to be as low maintenance as possible,
we offer a range of maintenance packages for all projects depending on our clients’ needs. A maintenance document is submitted at the quotation stage but it’s often reassuring to have our team on call if you need us. All projects come with a free 1 year defects period as standard.
Environmental Impact and Sustainability
We take the environmental impact of playground design very seriously. We source all of our materials from the UK, reducing our CO2 footprint by limiting excessive transportation costs that come with importing equipment from the rest of the world. We are proud to say that our wooden playground equipment is made using locally sourced timber and built in our workshop here in the UK. We also use as little plastic as possible in our designs and packaging.
Materials
We have a hand picked selection of materials that we believe work best for playground use. Timber is the key ingredient of most of our playground equipment and we only use chemical-free wood. All of the timber we use have qualities that make then naturally resilient to rot. Through our time with working with different types of timber, we’ve noticed the drawbacks to working with chemically treated wood. Our organic approach is better for the environment and better for your health.
Oak is well known for its natural durability. This locally sourced timber works best in our climate where playground equipment is in contact with the ground.
Composite materials are often a good option when extreme durability and fire resistance are required. These materials can be use to replace wooden components if necessary and look exactly like timber.
We use larch as the main component above ground. It’s high resin content (a natural antiseptic) makes it as durable as treated timber, but doesn’t chemically corrode fixings.
For more of an even more natural looking playground we love to use robinia. Robinia is a european hardwood that provides an incredibly durable ‘in ground’ connection. The uneven yet smooth poles used bring a rustic aesthetic that is very popular.
We only use the highest quality stainless steel and galvanised fixings for our playground equipment. Engineered and guaranteed to last 20+ years.
We Are Carbon Neutral
PlayEquip is now officially carbon neutral. This achievement reflects our commitment to sustainability and to creating a healthier future for our children and the planet. It’s a step forward, but we know the journey doesn’t end here. We’ll continue working towards reducing our environmental impact while delivering high-quality products and services.
Our specific carbon offset supports UK based tree planting schemes. As 90% of our playground equipments components are made from timber, we wanted to make sure we are not only FSC certified, but we are also actively involved with reforestation within the UK.
(+44) 0177 383 0069
