Hampstead Heath – London NW11
A three part case study; Vale of Heath, East Heath and Heath Extension.
Our Clients Vision
The opportunity to tender for three playground improvement projects for the City of London Corporation was a perfect chance for Theories Landscapes to work with a new client in a location visited by numerous people across the London Area.
The client had engaged with local communities and identified the need to refurbish, replace and update 3 play areas within Hampstead Heath. City of London Corporation were very keen to work alongside Theories to ensure a positive outcome for these projects.
Our Design
Working on these projects gave us the opportunity to again work with a Landscape Architect with whom we have collaborated on numerous successful and rewarding projects in the past.
The design incorporated the clients brief of bespoke natural timber play areas that offered challenging play environments for children of differing abilities and ages.
1. Vale of Heath
Situated in a clearing of the Heath woodland this area would benefit from new play equipment including a bespoke Hardwood timber play tower with a stepped log access, a fireman’s pole and a wide stainless steel slide. Also to be installed was a sand play area, a fallen tree scramble feature, two refurbished swings, a living weaved willow tunnel and various carved wooden animal themed seats.
Total build time 3 weeks.
2. East Heath
This location was the largest area to be redeveloped and situated close to Hampstead Heath Underground and shops has a higher number of visitors than the other locations.
New play equipment installed included a large hardwood timber frame basket swing, a sand play area with a climbable cargo box and sand play table, and a bespoke hardwood timber play tower with ramp scramble access, fireman’s pole and wide stainless steel slide.
Relocation of an existing swing and a new pathway helped consolidate the new play area layout.
Total build time 3 weeks.
3. Heath Extension
This third phase of redevelopment was funded by donations and monies raised by fundraisers from within the local community. As a result this project gained a lot of interest from the public, press as well as local dignitaries. Situated in a clearing surrounded by ancient oak woodland this play area was completely redeveloped with a large hardwood frame basket swing, a double bay toddler swing, stepping logs and scramble nets and ropes, and a bespoke hardwood timber play tower with ladder access, fireman’s pole and wide stainless steel slide.
Also installed was a fallen tree scramble log and a living woven willow dome.
Total build time 4 weeks.
The Challenges
By pre-fabricating and part building most of the play equipment we were able to reduce the build time on site.
As the location of this site was along a dirt road constantly in use by dog walkers, cyclists, joggers and other users of the Heath, it made material deliveries by our normal suppliers difficult to arrange. To overcome this we utilised a local haulage firm to deliver our prefabricated equipment to a central storage area in the main part of the Heath. We then moved equipment from there to site locations in smaller loads.
Lack of on site power and running water meant we had to use generators and water bowsers.
The Completed Project
All three projects were completed on schedule and to budget and after play inspections were completed the projects were signed off.
We were proud to have fulfilled the clients brief and, hand over the completed project ready to be reopened to the public.
The positive feedback and support from passing members of the public as well as everyone involved in the project showed how important these play spaces are for the local community.
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Tell us about your vision
We’re very happy to chat with you about your school playground ideas and answer any initial questions that you may have about Theories Landscapes, so why not give us a call or send us an email, it costs you nothing and could be the start of something wonderful that enhances your school and your pupils’ lives for years to come..
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