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

Early this 12 months, a organic playground opened in Aberdeenshire that has been named right after one of Scotland’s most enigmatic climbers of the twentieth century, Tom Patey. He was born in Aberdeenshire, experienced in drugs at Aberdeen University and lastly ended up as a GP in Ullapool. From his college days onwards, he was a prolific rock and ice climber, setting up new routes across Scotland, numerous of them now recognised as basic climbs.

Unfortunately Tom Patey died in a climbing accident in 1970, aged 38. He experienced just finished creating his only book, One Man’s Mountains. He turned renowned – a household name – on account of a BBC documentary masking the are living climb of the Old Person of Hoy. He was 1 of the theory organisers of this epic function and a key climber. If you care to seem at this online video, then it is well worthy of also looking at the shorter movie of Catherine Destivelle soloing the exact same sea stack in 1998. It presents a superior comparison about how climbing has developed in excess of a 20+ year period of time.

When I read the identify of this playground, my curiosity was piqued. What capabilities would be offered that recognise the climbing heritage of Scotland? Regrettably, at current, I learned the playground, whilst interesting, genuinely does not aspect climbing in any kind. The nearest acknowledgement of a climbing hyperlink is the use of webbing to create a den-like construction in one particular portion of the grounds.

However, saying this, my comprehending is that in because of system, as the playground is utilized and evolves with youngsters enjoying there, other characteristics may well be included, so potentially this will adjust. A good instance of climbing attributes within a purely natural playground can be witnessed in the Morialta ‘Mukanthi’ blog submit which showcased climbing rocks to match a array of ages and abilities.

The presence of dens and social spaces are crucial elements to this all-natural playground. They have been sensitively created to keep away from one particular dominating the location and there’s sufficient for various groups of small children.

If you search at every of the social spaces, they are really diverse each in truly feel and the use of the resources in design. The webbing location has a muddy area and fairly open in truly feel. The house previously mentioned is evidently defined and bark chipped.

Previously mentioned the gathering location is in a quieter spot – you have to search to obtain it as it’s enclosed by trees and a grassy financial institution.

Above you can see this is a grit pit, but it also supports a team to play below. The presence of grass growing by, indicates, this is currently being missed along aspect a deficiency of play traces. Indicating that, the playspace is new, and sited absent from the main thrust of the city. In thanks program far more residences will be built closer to the playground. This will affect on use.

A further defining element is the pathways through and all over the internet site. These are a blend of buggy/wheelchair accessible grit surfaces as noticed previously mentioned and mown pathways, and people put on the wee hillocks – see beneath.

All over again, as the site settles down and will become subject matter to better dress in and tear, it will be attention-grabbing to see how young children participating in there condition the pathways: which new kinds emerge and which kinds are just not component of how young children use the space.

Some attributes invite exploration these types of as the big steps. The dimension and scale of these are terrific. There is a identical established in another aspect of the park which is mildly disappointing – I like assortment and selection so would have seemed for an different set climbing measures. If you seem at the Cramond University website put up, you will see the range of features on the slope about the playground which allow a range of alternatives. Usually, nevertheless, this sort of conclusion is merely a deficiency of spending budget alternatively than imagination on the aspect of the designers.

All through the playground there are quite a few purely natural loose components remaining in situ from latest substantial winds and rocks that are portion of the landscape. This is usually a great touch, and several have imaginative attractiveness.

And the organic stability beams definitely have a crocodile persona..

Just one feature I thought was novel and appealing was the log stack root process. While the symptoms stipulate this is a playground for kids 8yrs and more than, there is no question that these types of options have toddler attraction.

All-in-all, it was great to be equipped to visit this playground and that the community have invested in a all-natural playscape is outstanding as component of building the new town boy or girl-friendly. The use of organic functions has been amazing and it is distinct great use has been made of what is previously in position: regionally offered materials.

There had been also flags that could be hoisted around the park, with children’s function featured…

One key focal point was the swings. Excellent to see amidst the organic options as small children generally like a mix of regular playground tools and pure spaces.

Finally, I couldn’t find any reference to who has designed this room, which is a pity as I alway assume a minimal acknowledgement goes a very long way. My intestine sensation is that this is the operate of Judi Legg and Sue Gutteridge or a designer who has been influenced by their function. I’ve blogged previously about Judi and Sue’s work here.

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