Wicksteed were awarded a £375,000 tender to redevelop Castle Grounds in Tamworth. Previously the equipment on site was predominantly wooden which had suffered from a lot of wear over the years with the Wetpore surfacing also fading and becoming uneven in some areas. With the budget, the Council wanted to bring new life to the play space with the requirement of more robust equipment that was easy maintain. It was also key to make the park inclusive so children of all ages and abilities had equal opportunity to play at Castle Grounds.
With Tamworth Castle close by, we wanted to incorporate a ‘castle’ theme into our design. A bespoke variation of our Toddler Multiplay Unit included brick styled panels resembling the walls of Tamworth Castle and ‘Battlements’ at the top of the units, we also designed a castle entrance feature at the forefront of the play area. This Multiplay unit encourages toddlers to take their first steps in discovering the world of play, promoting their exposure to agility, balance and coordination and assisting in the development of their social, interactive and cooperative skills. A Matrix K7 unit was also included standing at an imposing 6 meters high, targeting older children. The Matrix helps children adapt to challenges whilst assessing and questioning their risk management, ultimately teaching discipline and concentration. The Treetop Towers unit was designed with ease of access and inclusivity at mind, including an access ramp and wide slide. In addition a Wheelchair Swirl Roundabout, Viking Swing with Teddy Seat and multiple sensory play units allow children of all abilities the comfort to play. Furthermore, large routes flowing throughout the grounds offer ease of accessibility. All units were made from steel offering low maintenance and new Wetpore surfacing rejuvenated the area.
Customer Comment
“Wicksteed ensured the project was run smoothly at every step, even though the process happened throughout lockdown, the communication and lead time was amazing considering the circumstances. We are very happy with the outcome of Tamworth Castle Grounds, it is a fantastic playground and is certainly well used by children of all ages, they love it. We have also had visitors from all over the country and have continuously receive great feedback since opening” – Ian Owen