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Two New Play Parks Opened This Month At Wintringham

Several tree house like buildings set in a landscaped park

BMD were the lead Landscape Architects coordinating the design and delivery, alongside Jupiter Play, for our client Urban&Civic.

The play areas are inspired by getting close to nature, encouraging active play and active minds. Climb and balance through the orchard lined Ripple Park, run up and down the ripple runners and climb the Bret Park play tower to peek through the pine trees. There is something for everyone in our newly open play parks at Wintringham.

Richard Clarke, Landscape Architect at BMD, discusses the two play parks, their features and design inspiration.

Ripple Park

The play park contains a meandering play trail either side of the pathway to encourage play on the way, utilising a range of wooden play equipment set amongst rolling landforms and ornamental trees. This play area also includes a bespoke wave form that everyone can run up and down, jump off and sit on, inspiring unique play ideas. Picnic benches and seating overlook the active landscape, whilst naturalistic planting areas and larger trees wrap around the edges creating separation from the roadside.

Brett Park

Nestled amongst large pine trees, the play tower offers many ways to play, climbing to the top of the ladders, ropes or netting gives tree canopy views, while log steppers and ornamental boulders set into undulating landform create more natural play experiences. All set within swaying ornamental grasses, the play area also has seating areas with space for pushchairs with a small fence providing extra separation from the road.

Wintringham was acquired by Urban&Civic in 2017 and Bradley Murphy Design Ltd were commissioned as Landscape Architects responsible for the coordination and delivery of all Green Infrastructure services covering landscape architecture, soil science, arboriculture and ecology.

Wintringham forms part of the overall plan for the St Neots Eastern Expansion. BMD supported Urban and Civic in submitting a hybrid planning application in 2017 for 2,800 residential dwellings, a district centre, two primary schools and associated public open spaces including a design code for the first key phase, which was approved by Huntingdonshire District Council in 2018.

BMD are currently designing the southern extent of Key Phase 1 which will include an exciting play area destination, significant wetland habitat and access to Wintringham Brook.

Date published: 22 Jun 2021

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