Mill Lane, Barrow upon Soar

Proludic was delighted to help shape and deliver an exemplary themed playground with a local client at Mill Lane in Barrow on Soar. The play park combines elements from what we do best as play experts and the local surroundings. The Barrow-upon-Soar Playground was inspired by the local character of the River Soar, including its meandering waterway path, canal boats, and wildlife such as ducks and glistening lily pads.

As the Mill Lane play area was due for a refurbishment, the client wanted something different from the play areas they already have in the area. In particular, they wanted to refurbish a tired play area for children up to the age of 12 whilst creating something with a unique identity and natural elements.

Requirements of the Mill Lane Play Project

Proludic worked with Barrow upon Soar Parish Council to accommodate their ideas to form the basis of their proposed playground design. Our aim for this project was to deliver an engaging site that was also challenging for the use of children of all ages and abilities.

As well as being visually enticing with engaging equipment, the bespoke playground needed to address a range of practical requirements. This included a need for fencing around the play area to enhance the safety of young children as the site is close to the River Soar.

Additionally, the site needed to be accessible. Therefore, Prolduic designed and implemented a linking pathway from the top of the site for ease of access for pushchairs and wheelchairs.

Inspired by the Local Area

Proludic proposed a themed play area using new innovative equipment with a nautical-themed centrepiece. Our designers personalised this equipment with bespoke touches to reference ties to the local area.

Proludic drew inspiration from the river, nature and history in the local area. The thermographic and wetpour surfacing of the play area replicated the local river and nature. This bespoke design included graphics of lily pads, creatures that inhabit the area, and a winding river running throughout the length of the play area. This is all brought together with a large boat multiplay unit which had the colours adapted to resemble the nearby canal boats. We also adapted the canal boat to include a plaque to showcase its name ‘The Barrow Kipper’. It was named after the remains of a Plesiosaur fossil (originally named Plesiosaurus macrocephalus) found in Barrow upon Soar in 1851, known as the Barrow Kipper.

We also provided a story time area outside the play space for children to take a break from playing in the fenced area. This area is still close enough to take part by observing other children while also taking time away from the main hustle and bustle of the play space. Whether children are looking for a rest or a quiet space, they can enjoy this area. This story time area is also ideal for children with cognitive conditions such as autism.

Our team presented this design back to the Parish Council in a concept booklet and fly through. They found this useful in enabling them to visualise the finished area

We contacted several different play park installation companies, gave them the same brief and Proludic produced the best plans. Not only did they produce two-dimensional plans, but they produced a video showing a flythrough of what the park might be like when it was fully installed…..Proludic was a very professional company. They produced plans and layouts to a very timely timetable.

Anne Beckett, Parish Councillor for Barrow upon Soar

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If you have a play project that you would like to discuss then please contact us on 0115 982 3980 or email us at info@proludic.co.uk.