The Children’s Garden

Green Play Project was successful in winning the tender to create The Children's Garden in an under utilised area of the American Museum grounds. We were the main contractor seeing the project from concept design, through planning permission and construction. The aim of the development was to create a unique play space for under 12s to expand the visitor offering and provide a space for families to dwell and return.

We utilised the grassy clearing, sloping hillside, mature trees and vistas to create a garden full of adventure. Linking different levels and working with slopes and within woodland provided a unique set of challenges and constraints. These pushed the design to create a bespoke offering that fully embraces its location. 

The Play Towers sit central to the design. With several access points, they provide challenge, active play and imaginary play for a wide range of ages and abilities. Decorative markings make reference to the folk art displayed in the Museum and add visual interest. The towers utilise the slope of the hillside to give a sense of being up high and give far reaching views. Being high gives children a sense of well being and comfort in a world where they are normally small.

Child in turquoise shirt playing on wooden playground structure with slide and climbing elements, set on yellow surface surrounded by lush green trees.
A young boy climbing a wooden rock wall on a playground structure.
Wooden playground structure with bridges, slides, and climbing areas, set on a sandy surface, surrounded by greenery and trees.
Decorative black floral and animal illustrations forming a circular pattern on wooden planks.
A young girl walking on a rope bridge in a playground with wooden structures and green trees in the background.
A young boy in a colorful tank top and shorts crossing a rope bridge on a wooden playground structure surrounded by trees.

 The towers are linked by a walkway to the top terrace where a long embankment slide can be accessed. A line of boulders snake alongside the slide as an alternative climbing route. These play elements foster important social skills like cooperative play, sharing, taking turns, and learning patience and tolerance of others' skills and physical abilities. A new stonedust surface ensures there is an accessible route from the cafe to the play space, which sits within a rubber mulch safety surface. 

Adjacent to the above play elements, yet hidden away within the woodland, sits The Eagle’s Nest. This raised lookout point is accessed via steps and provides the perfect spot for children to spy the surrounding landscape and feel high amongst the trees. The Bald Eagle is the national bird of America and one of the characters in the Museum’s educational packs. A large carving of an eagle suspended between the trees can be spotted once at the top of the nest. 

The final installation within the Children's Garden is a swing suspended between trees to provide an adventurous and exhilarating experience for children, and adults, to fly through the air overlooking the beautiful landscape beyond. 

A child sliding down a metal slide on a grassy hill with stone steps on the side, next to a building with large windows and surrounded by trees.
Child crawling down a metal slide at a playground, with a girl standing in the background on a dirt surface surrounded by green trees.
A young boy swinging on a tire swing outdoors in a lush, green park with trees and hills in the background.
Two children, a girl in a colorful dress and pink tights, and a boy in a sleeveless shirt with vehicle patterns and shorts, are peering through holes in a wooden outdoor play fort.
A wooden bird sculpture is suspended on a wire between trees in a forested area, with lush green leaves and trees in the background.
A treehouse constructed with wooden logs and planks, elevated on tall wooden stilts amidst green trees.
see all projects

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.

Smiling boy on a swing in a park with trees and a fence in the background.
Orange circular emblem with a white bee in the center, surrounded by a white border.