Newcastle Playground Upgrade - Newcastle, Co. Wicklow

New playground to be designed and built adjacent to current playground in Newcastle, Co. Wicklow. Project budget is capped at €215,000 inclusive of all V.

A. T. Current playground will be decommissioned.

New playground will be approx. 1000m2. The majority of the play equipment will cater for 0-12 years olds.

The play space will be inclusive for children of different abilities, including wheelchair users. The design and layout should follow the principles of universal design, and be safe, inviting, and accessible for all children and their families and carers. The playground shall be good quality, robust, containing play equipment with high play value.

Play should also be provided to encourage intuitive play and natural free play; it should encourage positive interaction between children by allowing them to engage together, this may be done by providing places for children to sit and talk, group activities and playing games. The play space should provide a range of activities that are challenging for all ages. The space should provide areas of active, passive, sensory and social play.

Equipment shall be made from natural materials where possible but shall incorporate colours that will stimulate play and excitement for children. The playground design shall be based around the theme of a “Castle Environment” with a castle themed play structure as the main centrepiece of the playground. The play areas will be durable and limit opportunity for anti-social behaviour.

There will be a 1. 2m high boundary fence. Existing mature and semi-mature trees will be incorporated into the layout design.

Seating areas shall be included in the design. This space shall include seating in the form of picnic tables, other seating types and intergenerational play features. Natural landscape elements shall be incorporated into the play space to encourage non-prescriptive play, to encourage children to exercise their imagination.

Mounds, logs, boulders, tunnels, stepping stones, etc. can be incorporated into the design. Specific items must be chosen carefully before delivery to site; with safety in mind, no sharp edges, not too high or large as different ages must be able to access them.