huCK maKes a splash
in the leys, Witney
Huck Nets, based in Dorset, has been
selected to design, supply and install
the new adventure playground on
the recreational space at The Leys in
Witney, Oxfordshire. The £250K project
commissioned by Witney Town Council will
also include a new Splash Park. The design
has been agreed and the installation is to
take place in June 2015.
The Leys Memorial Park play area, which
is over 40 years old, had been enjoyed
by generations of Witney children but
was losing popularity due to being in a
desperate need of an update. The play area
was built up of old and not so old items
of play equipment. The majority of the
equipment offered little play value and
had reached the end of its lifespan. Instead
of just going for remedial work by Witney
Town Council, the residents joined together
and formed a group called ‘Liven up the
Leys’ (LUTL) and started their campaign to
raise funds and create a new modern play
area including a splash park. The group
set themselves the task of raising £20,000
towards the fund.
Huck Nets were first contacted by Witney
Town Council in 2014 as they were looking
for a centre piece for the main play area. “We
worked together with Witney Town Council
and came up with a bespoke designed dual
unit packed with play value. This unit was
exhibited at Saltex 2014 and then taken
back to the factory to be stored until the
park was ready for the installation. Later in
the year, Witney TC released a tender for the
design and installation of a new play area at
The Leys which was to incorporate the Huck
bespoke unit.” said Huck’s Play and Design
Manager, Tony Lucas.
The tender was to design, supply and install
an adventurous play area for children of
different ages and physical abilities. The
design and play equipment should enhance
the natural appearance and beauty of the
Leys recreational space, as well as being
both challenging and stimulating for
upwards of 300 users a day.
After a tough screening process, which
included extensive consultation with park
users and an open day alongside other play
equipment suppliers for local residents,
Huck’s design and proposal was selected.
“We have been working alongside Witney
Town Council throughout to ensure
that they get exactly what they, and the
community want.” said Tony Lucas “The
existing shelter and supa-nova spinner will
be retained and relocated within the new
Leys scheme. We are complementing our
rope and net based playground equipment
with specialist equipment from other
playground OEMs and are working with SSP
Water & Play, who have been selected to
supply the Splash Park, to ensure that the
two schemes work together.”
Huck
Bespoke Multi-Play Unit
30m Zip-Line
Single Point Swing
Adventure Tunnel (Toddler Unit)
Honeycomb Springer
DDA Trampoline
Climbing Whirl
3No. Triple Bay Swing Frames
DDA Birds Nest Baskets
Tyre Swing
Toddler Seats
Junior Seats
Rope Swing Seats
3No. Bespoke Tee-Pee’s
Tunnel through Mound
Other:
Supa-Nova (Existing)
Shelter (Existing)
Mag Posts
Storytellers Chair and Maze
Seating
See Saw for 4
Claire Swan, Facilities Manager at
Witney Town Council said “This is
the culmination of three years hard
work by councillors, officers and the
community group. It’s very exciting
to be at the final stage where our
vision is going to be realised.”