Natural play area Design

As an evidence based design practice we actively research the impact of our Natural play and sensory play developments. Sandpits, digging areas, water play, trees to climb - the fun stuff of childhood - is becoming increasingly important in early childhood centres, school playgrounds and public playgrounds alike. As public funding has shrunk health and inequality concerns have risen, requiring playground designers to incorporate many more elements than just play equipment. Better value for money, and similar or reduced maintenance costs, are a feature of our natural play spaces.

Natural playgrounds are sustainable playgrounds. Sustainable playgrounds design promotes sustainable communities. Picnic areas with edible, playable planting that encourage families to linger and enjoy inclusive outdoor play opportunities will complement healthy eating at home.

As climate changes, shade trees in natural play areas are becoming increasingly important. Edible fruit trees around playgrounds provide shade, scented blossom, add bio diversity and importantly will add to locally produced food stocks, promoting healthy living,healthy eating.

Early Childhood development requires activities such as climbing, swinging, balancing to develop gross motor and then fine motor skills. Imaginative play can happen anywhere we allow it. Loose parts play offers opportunities for children to take something and re-purpose it. A recycling bin becomes a den, a snail's house, a seat, a climbing platform, a stepping stone, a sledge, depending on the whim of the child. The bin is not a toy, or a piece of equipment designed for play, but affords opportunities for play. Where play designers are encouraged to provide cost effective designs, where there is less playground equipment but more flexible open ended play, the space is adaptable and the environment suggestive. Public playground design, like school playground design, can and should accommodate these needs.

- specialist play designers

Greenstone Design are internationally renown specialist play designers for natural play. We incorporate play equipment within a landscaped setting for local bodies, special educational needs and mainstream schools, early childhood centres, care homes, around social housing and for community groups. Inclusive inter-generational play spaces help build home-school partnerships, and assist local Councils develop sustainable communities. We work with the community and existing partnerships to create cost effective natural play spaces.

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- child-led play

For early childhood centres as well as in primary school playgrounds, allowing control of their own play activity is a crucial factor in enriching the children’s experience and enhancing their development. Natural play provision is based on the principle of empowering the child and increasing their choices. It is up to us to ensure the play environment is safe.

Learning to self manage and self limit is an important part of children's development. As trained teachers we understand this. As experienced play designers we know how to design playgrounds to facilitate this. To encourage open ended natural play we work with teachers to ensure children participate in devising, building or rebuilding their physical play environment. Sustainable playground designers must heed this need for flexibility and adaptability in natural playground designs.

School play grounds can be magical places when sympathetically designed. Public playgrounds, like schools, require a variety of play elements. Natural and built structures can combine for low maintenance, beneficial risk, high impact play.

Increasingly, the non-school environment is perceived as unsafe for children’s play. Schools and pre schools are one of the few places left where parents still feel it safe to send their children. This offers early childhood centres and schools the opportunity to be part of the process of reawakening both parents and children to the possibilities and benefits of natural play.