We recently completed a nice compact installation for Langore Parish, situated in the countryside just outside of Launceston in Cornwall. Having worked with parish councils and local authorities across Devon, Cornwall and Somerset for many years, Rhino Play understands the unique challenges these projects bring – and the real difference a well-designed outdoor play area makes to a rural community.
This tiered level wooded grassy play area had some very rotten play equipment that had been condemned and had to be removed. Rhino Play have been in consultation with the parish over the design and scheme option over the past two years, in order to help provide some new facilities for the children of the parish. The culmination of this is that the parish were thankfully successful in obtaining funding for the project.
For many rural parishes, securing funding is the single biggest hurdle before a project can move forward. Rhino Play regularly supports parish councils at this stage, providing accurate design plans, product specifications and detailed costings that can be used as part of a formal funding application. Having the right documentation in place from the outset can make a significant difference to the outcome of a bid. Find out more about our free consultation and design service.
The play area at Langore Parish had reached the end of its serviceable life. The existing equipment had deteriorated to the point where it had been formally condemned and needed to be fully removed before any new installation could take place. The tiered, wooded and grassy nature of the site also presented some practical considerations around ground conditions, levels and appropriate surfacing.
Rhino Play was tasked with clearing the condemned equipment, designing a new scheme that would serve a wide age range of local children, and completing the full installation – all within the parish’s available budget.
So we at Rhino Play installed our Net Wall – these are double sided double climbing walls linked by a vertical steel corded net, safety surfaced with Rubber Grass Mats. This product provides numerous ways that older children and teens can traverse and climb, either alone or with others, to give them the much needed core and upper body strength development. To make the play value even higher we added some stainless steel somersault / pull-up bars too.
For a community play area serving a wide age range, equipment that genuinely challenges older children and teenagers is often the hardest brief to fulfil. The Net Wall addresses this directly, offering multiple climbing routes and challenges within a compact footprint, making it an ideal choice where space is limited but play value cannot be compromised.
We also installed a Birds Nest Swing, again with Rubber Grass Mats. This swing seat is suitable for all ages and abilities and provides co-operative social play alongside solo play.
The Birds Nest Swing was a deliberate choice to ensure the play area served younger visitors as well as older children using the Net Wall. It naturally encourages interaction and shared play – younger children can use it with a parent or sibling, while older children enjoy it independently or in groups.
A fantastic HDPE bodied ‘Horse’ Springy also provided some play fun for the younger ones. HDPE (high-density polyethylene) equipment won’t crack, splinter or fade over time – making it a low-maintenance and long-lasting choice for a community setting where durability matters.
To complete the project, the team:
This was all installed on galvanised steel feet to prevent ground rot and strimmer damage – the two main factors that contribute to early rot of any timber product. It is the kind of considered specification that comes from years of installation experience, and it means Langore Parish’s new play area should remain in excellent condition for many years without the need for costly repairs or early replacement.
All installed and ready in time for Easter.
Rubber Grass Mats were the right surfacing solution for Langore Parish for a number of practical reasons. Here is a quick summary of their key advantages for community and parish play areas:
For a rural, tiered outdoor space like Langore Parish’s play area, rubber grass mats offer the flexibility and practicality that a hard-bound surface like wet pour simply cannot. If you are unsure which surfacing option is right for your project, our team is always happy to talk through the options during a free site visit and consultation. We also offer wet pour safety surfacing and rubber mulch for applications where grass matting may not be the best fit.
Rhino Play has been designing and installing playground equipment for community groups and parish councils across the South West for many years. Whether you are at the very beginning of the process or ready to move forward with a confirmed scheme, our team can help.
Get in touch today at info@rhinoplay.co.uk with your initial ideas and requirements, or to book your free site visit.
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