Case Studies

Over the past ten years of business Allplay has worked closely with a broad range of public and private sector clients providing well designed, innovative and challenging outdoor play areas along with our inspection and maintenance services. These include Councils, Local Authorities, Education Boards, Schools, Nurseries, Special Needs Units, Architects, Developers and private residential customers.

The following case studies detail some of our recently completed work. Please take time to browse this section of our site. Alternatively we would be happy to refer you to a play scheme in your area which you can visit by appointment.

Case Study – Sure Start New Horizons

The well known Sure Start organisation are never ones to shrink from a challenge!, and the creation of a new stimulating play space is no exception. 

We at Allplay recognise the desire to provide the best outdoor opportunities possible for the children of our communities, so working together, a great new Sure Start play area is now up and running at Sunnylands Primary School in Carrickfergus. 

The initial brief was for an area which would be physically challenging, educationally stimulating, multi sensory, and suitable for children with a wide range of abilities.

As you can see from the ‘before’ picture, the physical space available was also a challenge.

 It was agreed that the area would have a combination of elements and textures.  Natural materials are important especially where communities are not within walking distance of a park or coastline, so real stone, play grade bark, sand, water, and plants of various kinds to provide texture, scent, and to acknowledge the changing of the seasons were used.

 Also, of course there is a place for manufactured materials and innovative ideas. Outdoor, robust musical instruments, to stimulate the sense of hearing were provided, alongside other educational elements such as the abacus rail, chalkboards, and the shop panel for role play . 

Physical abilities were then addressed such as balance, co-ordination, strength, and endurance with the various stand alone structured play elements, and the ever popular multiplay unit. 

Social interaction was encouraged by providing a quieter space to rest and talk. The mounds have several functions and are a great place to rest, whilst watching the birds at the birdtables! 

Social attributes such as the recognition of the importance of ‘taking turns’ are encouraged throughout the scheme, especially where the elements are ‘one at a time’ items.

By deliberately making the surfacing of different textures across the area, children recognise and appreciate the differences between ‘hard’ and ‘soft’, learning also what is preferable to sit on, and quickly work out for themselves what games you can and cannot play on different surfaces. All of this adds to the educational value of the space. 

It has been our pleasure to work alongside the SureStart team and all the various parties involved in this project. We trust that the children who use and enjoy this playscape will benefit greatly from their experiences, learning, socialising, exercising, and above all, having fun being children.

 For more information on this project, design brief ,technical detail, or the ethos and aims of Allplay as a company, please contact us on; Tel. +44 (0) 28 9756 5129  Email. info@all-play.com