Parks & Public Spaces

The joy of playing outdoors

We work with housing developers, local councils and community groups to provide quality, sustainable and robust playgrounds in the public realm. Our aim is to shift the perception of public playgrounds, moving away from standardised equipment to diverse, landscape-led play environments that reflect and serve the whole community.

We are passionate about creating inspiring outdoor spaces where children can connect with nature, spark their imagination and experience the joy of playing outdoors. Each of our hand-crafted designs offers not just a place to play, but a space that welcomes everyone and supports the wider environment.

Children and adults at a playground with slides, swings, and a sand area, surrounded by green grass and trees, on a cloudy day.

A playful landscape: playscape

Children spend far longer inside than their parents did when they were children. Their ability to roam and play out has been lost as traffic and safety concerns have increased. Play has become screen-based rather than outdoor and adventurous. 

Our approach to public playground design is to create playful landscapes (playscapes) that every age, gender and ability can enjoy. Playscapes are a considered blend of play equipment and landscaping to enhance the natural environment and ensure the whole community has a space that they can enjoy and be proud of. 

Incorporating play into the landscape creates a natural, wild and innately inviting space that delivers a wide variety of play opportunities and experiences. 

We aim to create spaces that can be explored and enjoyed by a wide range of ages and abilities, even adults will enjoy reliving their childhood balancing along logs and stepping across boulders. 

People, mostly children, gathered at a park picnic area on a sunny day. Some sit around a picnic table while others sit on blankets on the grass. There are backpacks, water bottles, and a stroller with a green jacket on it. Children are eating, talking, and playing, with an outdoor playground and some trees in the background.

Key considerations

Planting

The inclusion of hardy and low maintenance planting in public playgrounds helps to improve biodiversity and provide areas of shade, tranquillity and quiet spaces to retreat to. Planting enhances the wellbeing of local residents and provides attractive spaces for the whole community to enjoy.

Seating and Shelter

Whilst often overlooked, providing adequate seating and shelter in public play spaces is vital for the comfort of parents, grandparents and carers. They also provide refuge for children who have sensory or physical needs or require some time away from active play. Seating and shelters within playgrounds can positively impact communities and enhance social interaction.

learn more about our shelters & seating

LAPs, LEAPs and NEAPs

As a housing developer or local council, you’re likely familiar with the guidelines established by the NPFA (National Playing Fields Association).

LAPs, LEAPs and NEAPs (Local Areas for Play, Local Equipped Areas for Play and Neighbourhood Equipped Areas for Play) play a crucial role in providing designated spaces for children’s play, supporting their physical, emotional and social development.

Each type is thoughtfully designed to cater to different age groups and play styles, promoting active living and strengthening community connections.

We collaborate with you to ensure that your new residential playground development meets NPFA standards, whilst delivering distinctive and engaging spaces that inspire both play and community interaction.

Two children playing on swings outdoors, one girl pushing a younger girl on a black swing, both smiling and enjoying the activity.

“Thanks again for a lovely collaborative partnership, I feel like it was a very complimentary, creative and capable working relationship. The children of Frome will get many many hours of fun from what has been achieved.”

Rob Holden - Environment Manager, Frome Town Council

Explore a selection of our projects

Three young girls playing on a wooden logs obstacle course outdoors on a sunny day with green grass, trees, and a fence in the background.

Project 01. Showfield

Frome, Somerset

We were successful in winning the public tender for Frome’s Showfield Play Area and was awarded the role of Designer and Principle Contractor in May 2023. The client was Frome Town Council and the site constitutes Frome’s largest public play space and measures 2850m2.

Our design aimed to encourage children to return to their natural state as curious investigators and enable them to adventure and explore the new landscape. It was paramount the playground was inclusive to every age, gender and ability.

see full project
Wooden playground structure with slide and climbing elements in a wooded park, sunlight shining through trees.

Project 02. California Country Park

Wokingham, Berkshire

We were appointed Designer and Principle Contractor of a flagship playground at California Country Park for client Wokingham Borough Council. The 5000m2 site already contained a cafe, outdoor paddling pool and deteriorating playground.

The brief was to reimagine the existing playground area into a sensory and inclusive space for a younger age group and disabled children, along with developing within the woodland area to cater for older children, young adults and adventurous younger children. 

see full project
Colorful illustration of a lively outdoor playground with children playing on swings, slides, a looping water slide, and multiple climbing structures. The park is surrounded by trees, flowers, and various other activities such as biking, gardening, and animal interactions.

Project 03. Salisbury River Park

Salisbury

We were engaged by the Environment Agency to create a playscape for the Salisbury River Park Project; where play and landscape merge and correlate. Inspired by the unique river bank ecology, wildlife and habitats, this intervention tells a story, it celebrates the surroundings and connects to the wider development. It is a space that welcomes all, encourages exploration of nature and inspires play and learning.

Full Project page coming soon!

More projects to inspire

Wooden playground bridge with rope sides and handrails, surrounded by trees with autumn foliage.
Empty wooden swing set and play structure with slide on grassy field under a blue sky.
A girl climbing a wooden climbing wall on a playground, with yellow holds on a sand surface, in an outdoor park with trees and children playing in the background.
A child's playground with a slide, climbing frame, and sandbox, surrounded by grass, trees, and a wooden fence, in a rural landscape.
Playground merry-go-round with blue seats and green railings in a park with green grass, trees, and a clear blue sky.
Wooden playground structure with climbing ladder, slide, and tunnel entrance, set in a grassy park under a blue sky with white clouds.
A young girl in a red polka dot jacket and light-colored pants standing on a large rock in a garden area with trees and bushes, near a wooden play structure.
Child playing on a slide and stairs at a wooden playground structure in a park with green grass, trees, and a fence.

Get in touch

Our friendly team are here to answer any questions you have and discuss your needs. We’d love to hear from you.

Call on 07362429481

Email hello@greenplayproject.co.uk

Fill in the form below:

We’ll get back to you within 48hours Monday-Friday 9am-4pm.

A young boy with dark hair smiling and swinging on a swing in a park or wooded area with trees and leaves on the ground.
An orange circular emblem with a white silhouette of a bee featuring detailed wings and body, outlined with a white border.