Church Mead Recreational Ground, Norton St Philip
Church Mead Recreation Ground sits at the heart of Norton St Philip, serving as a much-loved green space for the whole community. When the Parish Council began exploring ways to enhance the park, they were looking not just for new equipment, but for support in bringing their vision to life, including securing grant funding to make it happen.
Working closely with our Outdoor Learning Consultant, Beth, the project evolved naturally over time. What began as a focus on creating opportunities for younger children soon grew into something more ambitious - an inclusive space designed to be enjoyed by as many people as possible within the village.
The brief was simple: enhance what was already there, introduce engaging and challenging play opportunities, and deliver a visible uplift to the park - all while remaining mindful of budget. Our focus was on creating high play value in a cost-effective way, ensuring the investment worked hard for the community.
The final design centred around a carefully selected combination of climbing experiences, including a Jungle Climber and Cone Climber, chosen for their broad appeal and ability to offer progressive challenge. Alongside this, the Parish Council were keen to refresh the overall look and feel of the park, particularly areas that had begun to feel worn. They also added a boules court for the older generations, but this was installed separately.
To support the development, we introduced a Play Grass overlay to revitalise some existing spaces, alongside Grass mats to provide safety surfacing beneath the climbing equipment that allows natural grass to still grow through. This approach maintains a green, organic feel while ensuring the space remains safe, durable and fit for purpose.
With the recreation ground also hosting regular cricket, timings and care of the pitch area were essential for installation. The project was delivered efficiently, with minimal disruption to the field, allowing the space to return to use quickly.
As a public park, the impact of this transformation reaches far beyond a single group. Children and families from across the community can now enjoy a more engaging, welcoming and inclusive environment. The Parish Council were delighted with the support throughout the process, from grant application guidance to final installation, and the finished space is already being enjoyed by those who use it every day.