To cater for everyone and design in longer-term interest, we have created four distinctly different routes to access the central play towers and the slides that come from it, and the secret play within it.
The first of these is the cargo net and bridge access. On this route, you can climb up into the trees on a cargo net and run across a bridge over the pathway below.
The ground play access route, introduces a combination of log stepping stones and natural timber hurdles creating a playful ground-level trail that weaves around the play towers, linking a number of access points into the main play structures.
And the secret route (which obviously we can’t tell you much about) is a wonky walkway with balance obstacles leading to the climbing route and climbing wall, that creates an adventurous access to upper levels of play.
There’s also the accessible boardwalk. This uses the natural gradient of the site, to give wheelchair users access into the heart of the play reaching a height of 3m. It also acts one of the main links into the network of play walkways and bridges. The play is extended into a nest tower with a walkway. This has been designed to resemble a nest with rustic cladding approach with a firepole to take you down to the ground-level deck. The nest towers are connected via a rope bridge and then a crawl tunnel, which takes you into the cluster of play spiers, with one of the net towers featuring a giant octagonal hammock.
This area is designed specifically for under fives. Inspired by the form of a nest featuring lookout decks, linked by walkways, accessed via a range of toddler-friendly decks and bridges. The adjacent seating areas allow parents and guardians to remain close at all times, whilst allowing the youngest members of the family the freedom to challenge themselves. The first deck is also wheelchair accessible with an accessible, low-level musical instrument (which actually sounds quite tuneful).
Around the site, there are plenty of picnic tables and bench seating. These are mainly located between the play areas and pathways to allow parents and children to rest between playing and enjoy a drink or a snack from the new F&B unit on site.
One of the first people into the site gives you a good tour of the play and you can see that here:
As the story of the Spymaster himself grew, you can see how it came to life in our CGI images here.
