Playground Redevelopment: Trinity CE Primary School, Chorley | Absolute Play - Case Study
- Absolute Play
- May 26
- 3 min read
📌 Project snapshot
Sector: Education / Primary School
Age range served: KS1 & KS2 / After School Club Provision
Key project drivers: Trinity Primary School wanted to completely adapt and revitalise their outdoor area to better support their busy after school club provision. The existing space contained a large amount of outdated and unfit for purpose equipment, lacked cohesive design and was not maximising the site's potential for active, engaging and flexible play experiences. The school wanted a safer, more stimulating environment capable of supporting a wide variety of users, ages and activities.
Equipment type: Multi-play equipment, outdoor fitness, balance trail, performance & social play, climbing equipment.
Surfacing: Artificial Grass, EPDM Bonded Rubber Mulch & Enviropave Surfacing.
Budget: £85,000.00+VAT
Project summary - Playground Redevelopment
Absolute Play worked with Trinity CE Primary School to deliver a full Primary School Playground Redevelopment, transforming a tired and equipment-heavy outdoor area into a more purposeful, active and versatile environment designed around the demands of a busy after school club.
The redevelopment introduced stronger physical challenge, improved zoning, modern surfacing solutions and a wider variety of engaging play opportunities across the site.
The brief
The school required a complete rethink of their existing outdoor provision.
The area contained a significant amount of old equipment that was no longer fit for purpose and the layout was not effectively supporting the day-to-day demands of their after school club. The brief focused on creating a safer, more engaging environment with greater play value, clearer organisation and a wider range of activities suitable for different ages, interests and energy levels.
The school wanted a space that encouraged movement, challenge, social interaction and flexible outdoor use whilst making much better use of the available footprint.
Our solution
Key Equipment:
• Quad Multi Play Unit — KS1/KS2
• Clamber Stack Mezzo
• Children’s Outdoor Gym Equipment including Energise Multi Gym, Rower, Arm & Pedal Bike & Sky Stepper
• Whiteboard Performance Area
• Balance Trail Elements including Sloping Balance Weaver, Wobble Board & Balance Beam
• New Bow Top Fencing & Gate
• Benches & social seating areas.
Design approach:
The design centred around creating a multi-functional playground capable of coping with high use and varied play demands associated with a busy after school environment.
The space was intentionally zoned to provide different experiences across the site. Larger climbing and physical challenge equipment created strong active play opportunities, whilst outdoor fitness stations, balance trails and performance areas encouraged movement, social interaction and alternative styles of play.
Existing constraints and site features were carefully worked into the design, with selective removals, relocated fencing, repaired surfacing and upgraded finishes helping create a cleaner, more cohesive environment.
Materials & surfacing
Equipment materials used
• Timber multi-play and climbing equipment.
• Outdoor steel fitness equipment.
• Timber balance trail items and social seating.
• Whiteboard learning and performance features.
Surface types used
• Play Grade Artificial Grass across the wider site to improve usability, appearance and year-round practicality.
• EPDM Bonded Rubber Mulch Surfacing beneath climbing areas to provide safer impact attenuation whilst maintaining a natural aesthetic.
• Enviropave surfacing used within replacement areas to improve durability and finish quality.
These materials were selected to create a robust, safer and lower maintenance environment suitable for heavy daily use and after school club operation.
Installation
The project involved extensive removal and disposal of outdated equipment, surfacing, edging, landscaping features and redundant site elements before redevelopment works could commence. Existing wetpour repairs, new fencing, shed relocation, manhole adaptations and surfacing upgrades all formed part of the installation program.
Working around existing site infrastructure, canopy areas, planting features and drainage points required careful planning to deliver a cohesive final layout.
The outcome
Trinity CE Primary School now benefits from a far more engaging and versatile outdoor environment that better reflects the needs of its busy after school club provision.
The new space delivers greater challenge, stronger physical development opportunities, improved social interaction and a more attractive, practical and purposeful playground environment capable of supporting a broad range of users and activities.
Looking to create something similar?
If you're planning a Primary School Playground Redevelopment or looking to upgrade an outdoor space for after school provision, we'd love to help.
Comments