News
Natural Play
Posted 23 02 2017 by Emma Coutts
in News
As Playgrounds are going back to their grass roots, Andersons Bay School in Dunedin contracted Design and Garden Landscapes to design a playground using a more naturalised approach to outdoor play for all children. The playground would provide a sand pit, outdoor teaching/performance space minimising the amount of manufactured play equipment and provide reference to the schools learning teams Rata (Junior school) Kowhai (Middle school) and Totara (Senior school).
The key design features which came from this brief was a play sculpture made of hypatufa (consisting of sand cement and peat) which integrated climbing, interconnected tunnels and sandpits. The play sculpture was organically formed and will continue to take on new life as it ages growing moss and lichens.
A new amphitheatre earth mound forms open air teaching opportunities for teachers and school assemblies. Along with creating space for the children to eat their lunch the amphitheatre also provides space for play and adventure.
Along with a slide and climbing wall this provides strong connections from the school and classrooms to the new playground. The deck climbing wall provides access on wet days not restricting the children’s ability to connect with the play area. There are also informal tracks throughout the bank enabling more challenging and organic routes.
The playground has been a great success. An exemplar of how working closely with the client and using simple and natural materials can create a space that’s interactive and intriguing for children. Along with providing teaching opportunities for staff and the wider community.
