Following impressive fund-raising efforts, Riverside Primary School wanted to replace their old wooden play equipment as it had begun to rot. Splinters and cracks had begun to appear in the old wooden climbing frame so it was in urgent need of replacement as seen in the picture below:
The old boat had always been well used but had begun to rot and was beyond repair:
The school was keen to keep a large climbing frame as a centre piece for the playground as it was brilliant at promoting physical activity. A multi-user climbing frame is an ideal choice as it allows many pupils to play together, promoting key social skills such as co-operation and negotiation. Staff wanted to replace the old play boat with an updated version as they recognised that it was always at the centre of the younger pupils’ imaginative games. They wanted to upgrade the old balance beams and stepping logs as these pieces helped to develop the younger pupils’ gross motor skills.
The new playground included new educational game panels on the edge of the playground, which are great for adding play value where space is tight.
The school opted for new play equipment predominantly made from recycled plastics. The school recognised the value of making a long term investment in the playground equipment, as whilst recycled profiles are initially more expensive than wood equivalents, they outlast wood by many, many years and so offer excellent value.
The installation was relatively straightforward as the old items were quickly replaced with new and improved versions made from recycled plastics. Still, the impact was impressive as it transformed the tired, worn out playground into a new vibrant play space.
Parents are really enthusiastic about the new school playground, telling teachers that the colourful equipment was really inviting and stimulating for the children who came home buzzing about their exciting break times playing on the exciting equipment.
