Rochdale Borough Council partnered with Wicksteed Leisure to create a bike-themed play area on Nixon Street as part of the Greater Manchester Bee Network cycleway project. Designed to capture the essence of cycling and motion, the vibrant play area features bike-inspired visuals, engaging play elements, and a Tour de France-inspired colour scheme, making it an exciting and challenging space for local families.
The highlight of the area is the bespoke Copa Multiplay Unit from the Treetop Towers range, featuring a rope climb, metal slide, and multi-level platforms that combine physical challenges with opportunities for imaginative play.
Adding to the fun, the bespoke bicycle-themed Springie offers a unique play experience that aligns perfectly with the motion-focused theme of the park.
The four-seat two bay swing set featuring a mix of cradle, flat, and Inclusive seats—ensures that children of all abilities can enjoy the swings together, while the inclusive Swirl Roundabout and Crusader Rope Swing add dynamic elements of motion, further enhancing the bike-centric design.
The vibrant, detailed wet-pour surfacing, complete with bike-themed graphics, enhances the play area’s visual appeal and provides a safe, accessible surface for all users.
Finishing touches, like the bespoke Tour de France Musical Totem, add sensory stimulation to the space, making the area not just a playground but an interactive community environment that sparks creativity and engagement.
The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Michael Buczman, Project Officer, shared:
“Wicksteed Leisure created a design based around bikes and motion, and the results were fantastic! With bright colours, bespoke play equipment, and incredibly detailed wet-pour graphics, Smalley’s Play Area has been a great triumph for all involved. The equipment provided was carefully selected to be both challenging to users while always tying in with the bike theme. Charlotte Wilson and the team at Wicksteed Leisure have been great to work with throughout, bringing the project to budget and without issue. The much-needed facility has been received very well by all and is not often found empty.”