Almost There!

The Playscape is within touching distance of opening, and the project team will meet tomorrow to check over the site and decide whether the gates can be opened next week.

The contractors are working frantically to put the finishing touches in place as the Playscape shapes up for its first visitors.

Check back tomorrow for opening news....


Carved Badgers


Climbing trees and carved egg


Hammock house


Willow eggs

Another Great Day Out!

Families from Stockport took part in nature treasure trails at Lyme Park yesterday - and were offered a sneak peak of the Playscape on a site tour led by Groundwork Cheshire staff.

The Stockport families were invited to have a look around the site in return for their view on whether they felt the Playscape design accomodates children of all abilities.

All of the comments were positive, and the families thought that we had utilised the consultation advice from families during our design process to good effect, and that as such the Playscape accomodates children with a range of abilities.

From the comments, it will be important that we advertise exactly what facilities within the Playscape are accessible so that parents and carers know what to expect before they visit. Also, from observing the families on site we are now looking at including additional hand support to help access up the boulder scramble.

A great day was had by all! The invaluable advice from our participating families will be fed directly to the designers and contractors for any last minute tweaks, and also to the National Trust so that they can consider the design of any future developments on the site as well as the details of the advertising literature for the Playscape.


The first family off to visit the site


Taking in the view of the tree house


The treehouse access ramp has taken shape since last week


Two baby badgers spotted hiding from the contractors


Scaffolding in place for the willow nest to be constructed

It's the Final Countdown!

The end is in sight, and the Crow Wood Playscape contractors are working furiously to get the play area finished, tidy and ready for the public to enjoy! We're on the final stretch of work now, finalising the playscape's key features and adding finishing touches and details that will make it such a special place to visit.

Followers of the blog will be informed as soon as the tools are put away and the gates are declared open - watch this space closely as it really won't be long!


The treehouse nearly complete


Badger chainsaw-carved by local artist Simon O'Rourke


The access ramp to the treehouse and the giant climbing trees


Members of the project team testing out the pod swing - all in the name of quality control obviously!

July Update

The site is changing every day as we edge ever-closer to completion.

The treehouse is evolving into an exciting feature - the roof is now taking shape ready for the cedar shingles to be laid, and the access ramp structure is coming on apace.

Progress Report

As we enter the last month of construction, the playscape is really starting to take shape. The tree house is going to be a real focal point for families visiting the park - work has now started on a fully accessible ramp up to the main tree house platform.

Not long to go!

Groundwork North West Staff Conference Pays a Visit!

The Groundwork federation held its annual North West regional staff conference yesterday to share best practice from around the region amongst Groundwork staff, and Lyme Park was one of the star features.

Twenty members of staff were taken on a tour of the Playscape site as part of a workshop looking at current practices in play space delivery. The Groundworkers were able to take a sneak peak of work on the site as we enter the last month of construction - and their impressions of the design and build quality were great.

The site has certainly progressed over the last few weeks - the photos below show the new boulder path up to the slide, the tree house roof starting to come together, and the tree stump seating area in situ on the low side of the playscape.


The double width slide and boulder scramble


Treehouse taking shape


Decking, swing and tree stump seating area

Work Underway on Treehouse

Subcontractors Hillan and Hunter have been beavering away on the bespoke timber features at Lyme Park over the past few weeks. The timber walkway is looking absolutely great, and they have now turned their attentions to the large timber treehouse.

The treehouse will be one of the star features of the playscape - accessible to all, with a great sense of height as the ground slopes away under one side. It will feature a timber shingle roof and scramble nets to provide an alternative way up and down for the more adventurous.

The photos show the latest progress and the form of the treehouse starting to take shape.