Willenhall Woods Play Area
Project Overview
We were commissioned by Coventry City Council to undertake the design, consultation and contract administration of the new play area at Willenhall Woods under the government’s Playbuilder scheme. The site offered many challenges which included a heavily wooded site with mature trees and a socially deprived neighbourhood. These constraints were used to inform the design alongside meeting the principles of natural play.
The landscape team at epd worked collaboratively with a number of partners, including Coventry City Council, Warwickshire Wildlife Trust and the Coventry and Warwickshire Groundwork Trust, along with local school children. The resulting play area was a bespoke design of exciting features and equipment meshed together to provide endless imaginative play opportunities for all age groups in a serene woodland setting.
The focal point for the play area is a climbing tower tree house which looks out upon the tree canopies to allow children an elevated view of the whole space. Other bespoke features include giant arrows which incorporate local children’s art produced during a workshop, gold coins and a treasure chest which doubles as a seat and a tunnel. The play area has been well received by the Council and the local community and is a unique natural play space within the city.