Center Parcs

Timberplay have recently been awarded the contract to supply Center Parcs — the Holiday Village operator, well known for their Sub Tropical Swimming Domes and ‘back to nature´ activity holiday breaks, with new play areas for their four ‘villages´ throughout the UK.

Center Parcs UK, who have recently been acquired by American conglomerate, Blackstone, are currently going through a multi million pound investment programme, part of which includes the childrens´ play areas.

So far, sites at Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire, Longleat Forest in Wiltshire, Elveden Forest in Suffolk and Whinfell Forest in Cumbria, have seen replacement new play areas or brand new play areas developed for the use by Center Parcs guests - with excellent feedback already achieved.

The client brief has been to develop unique and challenging facilities for all age ranges with themed activities. All villages have a 0-4 years ‘Farmyard´ setting, that include play houses, tractors, farm animals, interactive equipment, sand pits and inclusive nest swings. Both Sherwood and Elveden have mid-age range, ‘Forest Swings´ arenas, that use high energy, multi swinging equipment — some of which are the first items to be installed in the UK from the Richter Spielgeraete range. These include the Queen Swing, Triple Beam Swing, Giant Seesaw Platform and Wobbly Platform combination.

The largest development has been at Sherwood Forest, where the ‘Pirates of Sherwood´ play area for 8 -13 year olds has just been completed. Obviously, with ships, net rigging and timber climbing structures, lighthouse slide, rocks, 16 meter suspension bridge over water to an island and communication aids between the island and the mainland — it makes for a role play paradise with real challenges.

The key has been to give the guests at Center Parcs an experience that they could not easily find elsewhere, creating inclusive play areas with atmosphere.