The idea
Calthorpe Project is a vibrant community centre and garden with different pockets of spaces, each with a unique character and use. The under 5’s play space located outside one wing, is overlooked by a play room and decking space. By introducing more plants and growing activities, and increasing the number of natural play elements and materials, we will have an impact on the development of the children and families who use it.
The redesign for the space involved two rounds of consultation with users and looking at experiences of natural play and childcare projects that have introduced natural play elements into their daily activities, such as forest schools. The proposals include rearranging the entrance and ramp access to create more playable space, extend the sheltered area, have larger planting and growing areas, introduce a natural play are and messy zone, have a low-level under-5s play structure and a consolidated buggy area.
What we'll deliver
- New entrance way with gates and planters
- Move ramp to side of building
- Extend planting and growing areas
- Messy play zone i.e. mud kitchen
- Low-level under-5s play structure
- Natural play area
- New buggy shelter
Why it's a great idea
The current play area for under-5s at Calthorpe is underused and this exciting redesign led by users and the community will create a larger play space, with natural play elements and growing spaces for children. The aim is that with the redesign the play space will become a destination for families with small children who live in the area and beyond, who will be able to use the childcare and play facilities and will also use the café and other community facilities at the Calthorpe Project. The other activities at Calthorpe, including the co-working spaces, café, the food growing project are all complementary and the improvement of the play area will fit with the wider strategy of the Calthorpe Project as a space in inner city London building a better environmental and social future.
Steps to get it done
- Complete detailed designs
- Prepare materials and build structures off-site
- Move ramp and create new entrances
- Build larger planting and seating area
- Build low-level play structure
- Build natural play area
- Extend canopy and decking area
- Create new buggy area
- Add new planting
