Project Playground
We have been very lucky in Oxford to have had all our playgrounds upgraded recently and Florence Park is no exception. The new playground for the little ones is wonderful and is so well used.
For families who have slightly older kids , and kids with a mix of ages , the older kids park on the other side of Flo Park is still a big draw. Unfortunately this equipment is slowly wearing out and is not going to be replaced by the council .
This is where Project Playground comes in. Here at Friends of Florence Park HQ our next huge project is to raise money to create a brand new and very exciting adventure playground for the older kids.
It is going to be positioned in a slightly different place - just across the path to integrate the zip wire, swing and climbing frames. The council will not be enclosing it in fences so there will be seating and logs around the play area to create a natural edge but not a barrier. ......
For families who have slightly older kids , and kids with a mix of ages , the older kids park on the other side of Flo Park is still a big draw. Unfortunately this equipment is slowly wearing out and is not going to be replaced by the council .
This is where Project Playground comes in. Here at Friends of Florence Park HQ our next huge project is to raise money to create a brand new and very exciting adventure playground for the older kids.
It is going to be positioned in a slightly different place - just across the path to integrate the zip wire, swing and climbing frames. The council will not be enclosing it in fences so there will be seating and logs around the play area to create a natural edge but not a barrier. ......
The idea is to have equipment that uses the existing fabulous landscape of the park as part of the design, to go over the hedges on walkways, big slides , and swings, little house hidden away for kids to find, integrating traditional playground equipment which the kids love into an adventure play area that will drive their imagination.
The direction that play is moving toward is for areas that link with the natural surroundings and also flows between this and the pieces of equipment.
The emphasis is on natural flow and adventure, not individual free standing pieces which traditionally encouraged a sense of competitiveness. The current thinking behind play is to have a natural flow between the equipment which more encourages movement, working together, imagination and group bonding along side the physical challenge some pieces will present.
Hopefully also being included will be places where the children can meet and ‘hang out’. It has been observed that having areas for older children especially (teenagers) to sit and meet, situated near to play areas encourages socialising and engagement.
We really want lots and lots of you to be involved in anyway you fancy, we want the kids to have their say on what sort of stuff they would like . We want the parents to pull together and help the community create an awesome playground that will be here for years to come. One that inspires a love of the outdoors, of exploring and physical challenges.
Would you like your say?...... Find the information tent at the FloFest on 20th June for more info or send us an email . There will be a questionaire on this page shortly you and your family can answer for us too. ....Please have your say for your park
The direction that play is moving toward is for areas that link with the natural surroundings and also flows between this and the pieces of equipment.
The emphasis is on natural flow and adventure, not individual free standing pieces which traditionally encouraged a sense of competitiveness. The current thinking behind play is to have a natural flow between the equipment which more encourages movement, working together, imagination and group bonding along side the physical challenge some pieces will present.
Hopefully also being included will be places where the children can meet and ‘hang out’. It has been observed that having areas for older children especially (teenagers) to sit and meet, situated near to play areas encourages socialising and engagement.
We really want lots and lots of you to be involved in anyway you fancy, we want the kids to have their say on what sort of stuff they would like . We want the parents to pull together and help the community create an awesome playground that will be here for years to come. One that inspires a love of the outdoors, of exploring and physical challenges.
Would you like your say?...... Find the information tent at the FloFest on 20th June for more info or send us an email . There will be a questionaire on this page shortly you and your family can answer for us too. ....Please have your say for your park