Queen’s Hospital, Burton
“The team and Greenplay project really listened to our specific needs as a hospital. With fantastic designers it made it easy to visualise just how the play space would look and once it was finished it looked even better. The build team were friendly, knowledgeable and efficient. If you’re looking for a company that pushes boundaries to create a unique play space that gets all ages talking about it, Greenplay project cannot get a higher recommendation from us”.
Chris Maddox, Community Partnership and Charities Manager
Providing outdoor play opportunities for children within hospitals is so important as it helps them cope with the experiences they are having, reducing fears and anxieties, along with aiding recovery and providing a space for creative and energetic outlet. Receiving great feedback from the hospital staff and seeing the children enjoying the completed play space makes us very proud that we’ve been involved in such a worthwhile project.
A bespoke shelter sits within the centre of the courtyard to represent sculptural trees and create the feeling of being within a woodland, whilst also providing an interesting visual element when viewed from all angles. This is especially nice for children in wheelchairs or hospital beds who aren’t able to fully access the play elements. Three different shades of green perspex have been used to make the vibrant canopy, and create coloured shadows when the sun shines through, adding further interest and brightening up the space.
Our design for the space was inspired by the existing woodland artwork within the children’s ward, along with woodland landscapes, dwellings and elements with the aim of creating a space where the children feel like they have entered another world.
The main fixed play element within the space is the Woodland Dwellings. These low level A- frame dens provide opportunities for a range of play and social functions. Both dens have their own unique design and are connected by an astroturf tunnel suitable for a wide age range of children, from toddlers upwards. Toadstool stepping logs lead up to the taller den and visually link to the log seats elsewhere within the design. There is plenty of space in front of the dens for running around, playing with loose play parts and toys, or relaxing on the soft astroturf surface.
A designated seating area allows children and adults to sit away from the main play space, whilst still being able to view and feel part of it. A rustic style timber bench provides supportive seating, whilst colourful toadstool log seats can be moved around to create different seating options and allow room for wheelchairs. Planters with artificial plants enclose the space and create a soft natural looking boundary.
