This was a rewarding brief to create a natural space within a nature–devoid playground featuring plastic grass.
Our concept was to create an immersive garden with play, shelter and food areas to suit both the children and wildlife.
Mark Lee and his team did an outstanding job building the whole garden from scratch during half–term, so that when the children returned a new landscape had been created in time for them to don their gloves and pick up their trowels.
We designed the space to be educational, sensory and imaginative. A permeable, fully accessible path leads visitors on a journey from food being grown for people to eat, to a bug hotel with shelter and homes for insects. A water butt attached to a cattle trough creates a rain garden, mitigating the effect of heavy downpours. The path then travels under an archway to a wide flower bed with two trees and pollinator–rich planting. On the right of the path is a wildflower meadow with native flowers, and a log seating area encircled with sweet chestnut posts. Taller posts support a canopy providing shade and shelter, come rain or shine. Lastly, to the rear is a messy play zone with a pallet tepee and an area of woodland planting.
We had great fun working with the children in pairs and were impressed with their team work and the way they helped each other. For many, it was the first time they had planted anything. We have started them on their journey with muddy hands—let’s watch it grow and evolve.
