uniQue play transported
to raf medmenham!
On the 29th May 2015 Proludic opened their latest play park at
RAF Medmenham in Buckinghamshire. Opened by the Station
Commander and celebrated by the whole community it was a
wonderful occasion to celebrate the culmination of many months
work to bring this new play park to its’ completion.
Proludic worked in partnership with RAF Medmenham from
the initial consultation to ensure the community were heavily
involved in deciding the type of equipment and overall design
they most wanted.
The play park is located next to the ‘Hive’ coffee shop, a
community facility run by volunteers to provide a focal point
for families, the improvement to the play space and subsequent
increase in families visiting the play park has already seen an
increase in the use of this essential local facility.
The RAF base wanted a play space that was innovative and
challenging for a broader age range, ensuring it provided for
children of all ages and abilities. Proludic were chosen to work on
the project due to their extensive experience in delivering other
successful RAF sites and designed a unique transport themed play
park.
90 Landscape & Urban Design Issue 14
The play park prior to development was poorly laid out lacking
the priority children needed to play safely within the designated
space. The new design addressed this to ensure age appropriate
play spaces were created. The under-fives area is separated from
the junior and teen elements to ensure all children are able to play
within an environment that is appropriate to their own social and
emotional needs.
Some great features worth highlighting in the scheme are
the themed multi play units which provide excellent role play
opportunities for younger children. A transport theme was
featured which also continued through to the surfacing. Located
between Marlow and Henley we embraced the Genius loci
including images of the river and local transportation so children
can play and use their imagination outside of the stimulation
provided by the fixed play equipment structures.
The whole park took ten months to complete from the initial
consultation to the opening which marks a great achievement
from all parties involved.
“Working with Proludic throughout the entire Medmenham
playpark project has been quite simply a delight. Overall, a superb
effort by an outstanding team, on budget, on time - Thank you!”
Squadron Leader Craig Kirk, RAF Medmenham