New Outdoor Play Space Officially Opens
A new children’s play area has opened on Hadrian’s Wall at The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre.
The Sill Playscape, funded by the Tarmac Landfill Communities Fund, is designed to provide a creative and inspiring landscape-themed learning and play experience for children of all ages and abilities.
The space features a variety of interactive experiences that use the natural landscape. Elements include stone boulders, tree trunks and grass mounds to promote creative, imaginative play through climbing, hiding, balancing, chasing and role play.
The Playscape was designed by Kompan, a specialist outdoor play company based in Scotland. Its design revolves around the unique and special qualities of the National Park and features play equipment inspired by wildlife which children will see when they visit.
It also has several unique features to provide a variety of stimulating challenges for children under 12 years of age with different abilities. A leaf climber directly reflects the woodlands and animals that live within them, and the trim trail allows children to use their imagination, whether they are a squirrel running through the branches of the trees, a snake slithering through the grass or balancing along Hadrian’s Wall.
The Playscape is also home to an extensive sandpit to encourage children to pretend to be in charge of shaping their own National Park landscape.
Speaking at the official opening, Sarah Burn, Head of Engagement at Northumberland National Park, said: “From the outset of the project our goal has been to create a fun, inspiring, play experience for children and young people of all ages and abilities.
“We wanted to please, excite, challenge and stimulate children’s imaginations, whilst encouraging them to learn about the natural environment through play in a safe way. It was also important for us to create a place where families can meet, socialise and engage with the National Park’s landscape.
“I’d like to thank the charitable team at Tarmac and the talented team at Kompan in helping us to successfully make this project a reality. We hope the Playscape will help to draw new and returning families to The Sill by offering an outdoor learning and play experience like no other.”
Children from nearby Newbrough Primary School were special guests at the official opening event, where they joined representatives from Northumberland National Park Authority and Tarmac, to try out the new play area.
