Tom Patey’s Natural Playground at Chapelton | Creative STAR Learning

Early this yr, a normal playground opened in Aberdeenshire that has been named just after one of Scotland’s most enigmatic climbers of the twentieth century, Tom Patey. He was born in Aberdeenshire, qualified in medicine at Aberdeen College and finally finished up as a GP in Ullapool. From his university times onwards, he was a prolific rock and ice climber, setting up new routes throughout Scotland, lots of of them now recognised as traditional climbs.

Sadly Tom Patey died in a climbing accident in 1970, aged 38. He had just finished composing his only e book, One Man’s Mountains. He became famed – a residence name – on account of a BBC documentary masking the are living climb of the Old Man of Hoy. He was a single of the theory organisers of this epic event and a vital climber. If you care to glimpse at this video, then it’s effectively value also hunting at the shorter video of Catherine Destivelle soloing the similar sea stack in 1998. It provides a superior comparison about how climbing has designed about a 20+ yr time period.

When I listened to the name of this playground, my curiosity was piqued. What capabilities would be presented that recognise the climbing heritage of Scotland? Unfortunately, at present, I discovered the playground, although fascinating, seriously does not aspect climbing in any variety. The closest acknowledgement of a climbing link is the use of webbing to produce a den-like composition in just one portion of the grounds.

Having said that, expressing this, my understanding is that in owing study course, as the playground is employed and evolves with young children enjoying there, other attributes may possibly be included, so possibly this will adjust. A good case in point of climbing capabilities within just a all-natural playground can be viewed in the Morialta ‘Mukanthi’ weblog submit which featured climbing rocks to suit a variety of ages and capabilities.

The existence of dens and social areas are vital elements to this purely natural playground. They have been sensitively made to stay away from a single dominating the place and there is plenty of for distinct groups of little ones.

If you search at each of the social spaces, they are incredibly distinct each in really feel and the use of the materials in design. The webbing region has a muddy surface area and very open up in truly feel. The place higher than is obviously defined and bark chipped.

Above the accumulating spot is in a quieter place – you have to seem to find it as it’s enclosed by trees and a grassy lender.

Above you can see this is a grit pit, but it also supports a group to play listed here. The existence of grass growing by way of, indicates, this is currently being skipped along side a lack of perform traces. Indicating that, the playspace is new, and sited away from the main thrust of the city. In owing study course a lot more properties will be crafted nearer to the playground. This will affect on use.

An additional defining feature is the pathways through and around the site. These are a mix of buggy/wheelchair obtainable grit surfaces as observed earlier mentioned and mown pathways, and these put on the wee hillocks – see under.

Again, as the site settles down and turns into matter to greater use and tear, it will be attention-grabbing to see how small children playing there form the pathways: which new kinds arise and which kinds are merely not element of how small children use the room.

Some attributes invite exploration these as the giant techniques. The size and scale of these are fantastic. There is a comparable set in yet another portion of the park which is mildly disappointing – I like wide range and selection so would have looked for an choice established climbing actions. If you seem at the Cramond School website put up, you will see the variety of options on the slope about the playground which enable a selection of options. Usually, having said that, this form of determination is basically a absence of price range alternatively than creativity on the portion of the designers.

In the course of the playground there are quite a few normal free components remaining in situ from current significant winds and rocks that are element of the landscape. This is usually a pleasant touch, and many have imaginative attraction.

And the all-natural balance beams certainly have a crocodile persona..

1 aspect I thought was novel and interesting was the log stack root system. Although the signs stipulate this is a playground for kids 8yrs and over, there is no question that these types of features have toddler attractiveness.

All-in-all, it was good to be equipped to check out this playground and that the group have invested in a pure playscape is amazing as part of making the new town baby-welcoming. The use of organic options has been superb and it is distinct great use has been created of what is previously in put: locally available materials.

There had been also flags that could be hoisted all-around the park, with children’s get the job done featured…

One crucial focal issue was the swings. Amazing to see amidst the purely natural functions as young children often like a combination of traditional playground gear and organic spaces.

Lastly, I couldn’t discover any reference to who has developed this room, which is a pity as I alway imagine a little acknowledgement goes a extensive way. My gut sensation is that this is the perform of Judi Legg and Sue Gutteridge or a designer who has been influenced by their operate. I have blogged previously about Judi and Sue’s work listed here.

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