Playground Planning and Design

Click here for a list of Playground Planning and Design projects we have completed.

Design

MJLA specialises in the design of quality children's environments of all kinds. Our work is always tailored to meet the specific needs of the particular local community or client group and every project is unique.

MJLA playground designs often incorporate custom designed play structures which have unique character, designed for each setting. Although this is one of our specialities, our work is not limited to the design or placement of just play equipment. Our work always incorporates landscape elements and we believe strongly in the importance of natural materials, planting and sensory elements to enhance play experiences. Our observations of children at play have demonstrated the importance of the setting in which play equipment is placed, and how play can be enhanced by the combination of different design elements.

We also work with standard "off the shelf" play equipment components and products, customising their layout, creating safe and accessible outcomes which maximise the play value of these products.

Safety is integral to all of our work. We are well informed about the current Australian (and international) playground safety Standards and regulations and work hard to ensure our designs comply. We carefully consider the complex issues surrounding children's safety, and consider it vital to incorporate opportunities for children to safely develop their skills. In particular it is vital for playgrounds to offer graduated challenges, with options which allow them to develop their confidence.

Whether the project is:

• a major regional playground or a tiny local park
• the whole grounds of a school, or one small part of the play area
• a kindergarten play space, or
• a planning project looking at these facilities across a whole municipality
• we approach the design in a thoughtful way which addresses the wide range of users' needs and incorporates a set of well thought out principles.

Our designs typically incorporate

• a range of play experiences and activity types, including:
  • physical activities
  • opportunities for creativity and interaction
  • imaginative/role play
  • social inclusion
  • sensory appeal
• a gradation of challenges suited for a range of age groups
• accessibility
• a choice of settings which might range from man-made to natural and wild
• opportunities for adults to participate fully, to assist and rescue, and to supervise in relative comfort.

Play is fundamental to the development of children. In an increasingly sedentary and time-managed world, play out of doors becomes even more important. We bring a thoughtful approach to the design of play settings and advocate the importance of play in every facet of children's lives.

Municipal Playground Planning Strategies

Many Councils have difficulty managing their playgrounds. We have developed a whole rationale for Municipal Playground Planning and provision, which aims to make sure that:

• playgrounds are well distributed in relation to local residential areas
• the playgrounds within each catchment offer a diverse range of pay opportunities
• accessible playgrounds are well distributed across the municipality
• the importance of the site is reflected in the quality and range of the play opportunities and amenities available.
• local issues are taken into account

We have worked on such strategies in rural settings with small hamlets and townships, as well as in larger rural Municipalities, inner city Municipalities, and middle ring suburban Councils.

Our work enables Councils to resist ad hoc and politically motivated developments, to place resources where they are most needed, to plan for safey and access upgrades, and to recognise which existing playgrounds are worth upgrading and which are not.

Click here for a list of Playground Planning and Design projects we have completed.

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