Harpenden Town Council and the PARC Friends Group set an ambitious goal to create a flagship destination park at the Rothamsted play area in the heart of the town. With a budget of £300,000, they wanted a memorable space for toddlers, juniors, teenagers and families, organised into four themed zones for ages 0–5, 6–11 and 11–15.
Following a competitive tender in November 2020, Proludic was selected from eight submissions for its creativity, innovation and bespoke design. The proposal combined natural timber with contemporary steel equipment for better durability. The design also retained a small number of popular existing items in the teen zone.
The completed play area features 65 play items, more than 350 play experiences and a capacity for over 300 users. The zones include Whimsical Woodlands for toddlers, Fantastic Forest for imaginative and sensory play, Rambling Rivers for challenge and adventure, and Tree Tops for fast-paced social play.
Key features include a wheelchair-accessible multiplay unit, a two-metre climbing bear and a sunken ship. Woodland animal theming, Robinia timber equipment and nature-inspired HPL panels create a vibrant, immersive setting. A bespoke code-breaking adventure game encourages children to explore the park, solve puzzles and enjoy active, imaginative play throughout the space, together with friends and family members outdoors.
