Case Study: Alderman Pounder Primary School – Playground Surfacing Transformation, Nottingham
- Absolute Play
- Feb 28
- 3 min read
📌 Project snapshot
Sector: Education
Age range served: KS1 & KS2
Key project drivers: Prevent mud and debris being transferred onto the main playground, improve cleanliness across the site, and transform an underused shelter area into a practical, all-weather play space.
Equipment type: Surfacing Led Scheme
Surfacing: Artificial grass and Resin bound gravel
Budget: £20-25k
Project summary - Playground Surfacing
This project focused on resolving a long-standing issue with mud and debris being carried from soft landscape areas onto the main playground, while also unlocking the potential of an underused shelter space.
Through the installation of durable, all-weather surfacing, we were able to significantly extend the usable play area and create a cleaner, more functional outdoor environment for pupils.
The brief
The existing grass and loose surfaced areas became muddy during wet weather, making them unusable for much of the year and causing mud to be walked into other areas of the playground and school buildings.
The school needed a solution that would:
Prevent mud transfer and improve overall cleanliness
Create a usable, all-weather surface beneath the shelter
Extend the practical play space available
Improve the overall appearance of the playground
Our solution
Our solution focused on replacing problematic surfaces with durable, free-draining materials while carefully integrating the new areas with the existing playground. By combining resin bound gravel beneath the shelter with artificial grass surrounding it, we created a seamless transition between spaces and maximised usability throughout the year.
Key elements:
Installation of resin bound gravel beneath the shelter, creating a clean, accessible and all-weather space
Installation of play-grade artificial grass, connecting the area to the main playground
Full excavation and installation of new MOT Type 1 sub-base
Timber sleeper edging, neatly defining trees and planting areas
Block edging, ensuring clean, durable transitions between surfaces
Design approach:
The design focused on solving the root cause of the mud transfer while making the most of the existing footprint.
By introducing resin bound gravel beneath the shelter, the space has been transformed into a practical, year-round usable area. Artificial grass was then used to seamlessly connect this space with the surrounding playground, creating a cohesive and visually appealing finish. Careful detailing around trees and planting areas ensured these features were retained while improving overall durability and maintenance.
Materials & surfacing
High-quality, low-maintenance materials were selected to ensure long-term performance.
This included:
Resin bound gravel for durability, permeability and clean appearance
Premium play-grade artificial grass for all-weather usability
New stone sub-base to ensure structural integrity
Timber and block edging to provide clean, defined finishes
These materials significantly improve usability while reducing ongoing maintenance.
Installation
The project included removal of all existing unsuitable surfaces, including worn artificial grass, carpets and rotten timber edging.
New foundations, surfacing and edging were then installed to create a robust and long-lasting solution.
The works were completed efficiently, delivering a complete transformation of the space.
The outcome
The completed project has transformed an underused and problematic area into a clean, vibrant and fully usable outdoor space.
Mud and debris transfer has been eliminated, improving cleanliness across the playground and school.
Most importantly, the space beneath the shelter is now a valuable, all-weather extension of the playground, providing additional opportunities for play and outdoor learning.
This project demonstrates how thoughtful surfacing design can completely transform the functionality and usability of an existing playground.
Client feedback
"The team have been great, it has been an unbelievable transformation."
Mr Butterworth-Drury - Headteacher
Looking to create something similar?
If you’re planning a new play or sports project and would like an early budget or design ideas, get in touch with our team.
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