Fareham Park's New Play and Sports Area Development

The existing play area was outdated and reaching the end of its working life . The current play area offered the community minimal play value and the safety surfacing was starting to require significant repairs. Next to the current play area is an old tarmac multi-sports games area. While this remained very popular with the local community, it showed signs of age and needed repair, much like the play area.

We were excited, as we could use our fantastic range of equipment could tick all the boxes and meet the client's requirements.

eibe Play and Fareham Borough Council have a strong and historic relationship, having previously worked on various destination parks for them over the years, including the fabulously successful Holly Hill and Abbey Meadows play areas.

The council initially met our Play Consultant, Stuart Evans, on-site to discuss the requirements. The location, which is very popular with dog walkers and local families is in the middle of a playing field and is adjacent to a secondary school,. The field is regularly used for sports, such as football.

The design process started immediately, and we set about designing a new and exciting scheme for the community surrounding Fareham Park, which will be used by many future generations to come.

The play area is designed to be inclusive and accessible year-round. It will promote physical and social development for children aged 2 to 18 and featuring exciting play experiences with equipment for all users, including those using wheelchairs, which ensures no one is left out. We have incorporated quiet areas for relaxation and talking to friends.

The size of the play area meant it was really important that we maximised the play value and provided a play area for all abilities. We wanted to create a play area that children could use throughout their childhood and would never tire of the exciting play opportunities.

The artificial surface was an essential part of the overall scheme. We used a wet-pour safer surfaces and tarmac surfaces throughout the scheme. These will provide a long-lasting and durable surface while also making it ideal for wheelchair and pram users to access the equipment all year-round.

The play items are made from our fantastic steel and pine ranges, all selected to require minimal maintenance.

Your new amazing Accessible Play Unit allows children between 2 and 12 years old to climb with their friends, experiencing several different crossings and ways on and off the unit. This fantastic multi-play unit also provides the children with ample development opportunities, such as eye-hand coordination and upper body strength. Why not climb to the top of the tower and go down either of the two slides? This incredible play unit also includes a lower platform area with play panels that are easily reached using the wheelchair-accessible ramp.

We believe that retaining any existing play equipment which is in good condition can only enhance the play value offered to the children. So we have given a new lease of life to the Toddler, Junior, and Snake Swings from the old play area with a fresh coat of paint.

Additional equipment is included for children of all ages, including our Wheelchair Accessible Seesaw and Inclusive Roundabout. The unique eibe Play Tough Trail course will allow children aged between 8-14 years to practice their parkour and agility skills as they challenge themselves to get from one platform to the other.

The MUGA area will provide children of all ages with a dry surface to play sports on with their friends and families. The running track located around it offers an ideal opportunity for children and adults of all ages to improve their fitness and race with their friends and family.

We were awarded the scheme in June 2024, and the manufacturing process commenced after consultation. The installation started on-site towards the end of 2024, with the play area opening to the public in time for spring 2025.

eibe Play is exceptionally proud to have worked alongside Fareham Borough Council on this fantastic new play space. We look forward to working alongside the council for years to come to help ensure this and the rest of their play spaces are a success for years to come.