In Autumn of 2021 we visited Langstone Junior Academy who had a much loved and well used Trim Trail area in need of replacement. At more than fifteen years old, the existing trail was clearly loved by the children and offered mixed play value but had come to the end of its life, with the timbers showing signs of rot.
Whilst the school requested a new Trim Trail, with certain pieces to be replaced “like for like” they hoped for equipment which would challenge the children more, with the key focus on “imagination and flow”. It was important that the children would be able to move easily from piece to piece whilst playing imaginative games such as “the floor is lava”. The real aim was to provide play equipment which enhanced physical, imaginative and communicative development.
The black wetpour surfacing was in good condition despite its age. There had been repairs where equipment had been installed in the past, these splashes brought colour and brightened up the area. This was another feature the school wanted to replicate in their new, rejuvenised play area.
With all of this in mind, we proposed a fresh set of x10 individual trim trail pieces of equipment, with a Bear Creek Climb Around Unit as a focal centre piece. The individual pieces were chosen due to exciting challenges they provide and the way they could be positioned to encourage play to flow easily.
We felt the Bear Creek was the perfect addition, extending the opportunity for climbing and physical challenge, incorporating platforms to allow the children to interact and encourage imaginative play with friends.
All the equipment was installed onto steel feet before being installed into the ground. This addition meant that no timber is in the ground, preventing ground rot and extending the life of the timber.
The project took just over two weeks to complete and included removals and disposal of all the old existing equipment.
