original plans to overcome this had focused on wetpour, the Council Grounds team reached out to local sports surface and artificial grass specialist Gavin Brown at LazyLawn Scotland to discuss alternatives. An artificial grass play surface has benefits in both drainage and visual greenery – but sustainability? Enter: ONE-DNA™ Play.
ONE-DNA™ PLAY 24: The Credentials Designed for playgrounds and multi-sport venues with a pile height of 24mm, the ONE-DNA™ Play 24 comprises:
• 100 % PE straight yarn fibres;
• Fixation fibres with patented ONE-DNA™ technology
• 100 % PE backing, UV stabilised
• EPD Verified as 100 % circular
• 15 year life cycle( 30 years for the Shockwave panels)
• Full Take-Back Program for endof-life
• A Groundbreaking Choice: The UK’ s First 100 % Circular Play Surface
Gavin and his LazyLawn and Sportsmaster team have been working with a new product – the first of its kind in the UK and a game-changer in terms of 100 % circularity. ONE-DNA™ Play matched the Council’ s sustainability goals, with its single polymer makeup ensuring that it can be fully recycled into other landscaping and premium products at end of life.
As well as its sustainable credentials, the ONE-DNA™ Play would be a more versatile, softer and more visually pleasing surface than the original wetpour option – and better for Council’ s budgets, too. LazyLawn are pioneers of 100 % circular ONE- DNA™ Play, and the Council agreed to join them as pioneers with this the first installation of its kind in the UK.
Overcoming Weather and Installation Challenges: The Project Gavin explains how the installation unfolds; how the project started, developed and delivered on its promises of recyclability, functionality, versatility, texture and softness … and looks great whatever the weather:
“ Introducing ONE-DNA™ into the
SPORTS & PLAY
discussions meant we opened up a whole new realm of play surfaces – and removed the barrier of recyclability. We’ ve been eager to demonstrate the 24mm ONE- DNA™ Play in action, and with the installation of its shockwave pad from Nottsport, it would be the first fully recyclable artificial grass system from blade to beneath. We knew we had to work around the existing and new play equipment, which brought its own challenges with fitting, edging and jointing. The area was stripped of topsoil, backfilled with a Type 1 aggregate layer and blended with grano dust. Where the critical fall height was over 2.5 metres, we fitted a double layer of Shockwave panel tiles; all others sufficed a 45mm single layer. The installation of a play-safe fence was secured and all edges of the surface were fixed with 190 linear metres of VertEdge edging, preventing trip hazards and finishing the area cleanly.
We’ re accustomed to local weather conditions, but during the installation which was scheduled for completion within 23 days, the temperatures were wildly fluctuating, with regular downpours hampering or completely preventing progress. There was even a day that started-2 degrees and finished at + 18! Completing 10 weeks after we arrived on site, it was a real labour of love but one that we were more than excited to deliver, particularly with it heralding the first installation of its kind.”
A Blueprint for Sustainable Playgrounds across Scotland and the UK After completion, the Councillors visited to inspect and approve the new play surface and area. They were absolutely delighted with the results, commending its softer, greener look, blending in with the natural surrounding backdrop of the park itself. They also noted that the open areas beyond the play equipment were also now being used by groups of children and youths, where it had previously been unattractive, unused space.
Carol Cooke, Parks & Environment Manager at Scottish Borders Council
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