On 24^th September 2015, the Council adopted its Vision for Swindon

By 2030, Swindon will have all of the positive characteristics of a British city with one of the UK’s most successful economies, a low-carbon environment with compelling cultural, retail and leisure opportunities and excellent infrastructure. It will be a model of well managed housing growth that supports and improves new and existing communities.

Swindon will be physically transformed with existing heritage and landmarks complemented by new ones that people who live, work and visit here would recognise and admire. It will remain, at heart, a place of fairness and opportunity where people can aspire to and achieve prosperity, supported by strong civic and community leadership.

The scope and purpose of this appointment is to complete the construction of a new Accessible and Inclusive Play Park within the Coate Water Country Park.

ESP Play Parks liaised closely with Swindon Borough Council and upon visiting site and completing a full consultation realised this was not a standard Play Area but a hugely important community project that was at the heart of what ESP Play Parks strive for.

The chosen positioning for the new Play Area required extensive groundworks to create a level site that would be 100% accessible and upon reading the original specification we knew we could improve on the desire for full inclusive destination play area.

The ESP Play Parks design team took each element and enhanced the brief to create bespoke inclusive and accessible elements that elevated the Play Area to above and beyond Swindon Borough Councils vision.

We incorporated a custom-made centre piece 9 Tower Multi Play unit that encapsulates all the main play values, bespoke built a fully accessible 3 tower ramped unit complete with low level play panels and sand pit. Accessible and Inclusive elements also included a ground flush carousel, sunken trampolines, sensory pathways and musical elements around the site as well as a family zone incorporated flat, cradle, basket and accessible swings.

The Play Area official opening was supported by ESP Play Parks with children from 3 local schools attending who each received an ESP Play Parks goody bag! The event was attended by reporters from BBC Wiltshire, ITV, Greatest Hits Radio and the Swindon Advertiser along with Mums on a Mission, who were integral to the project, present to record the ribbon cutting by Councillor Courtliff who said

‘I’ve been visiting site frequently since we broke ground to begin the installation and have to say I have been regularly amazed at the progress and professionalism shown by ESP Play Parks, the finished article is just fantastic and I can’t wait to bring my kids here to play at the weekend’

Martin Mansfield overseeing the delivery on behalf of Swindon Borough Council added

‘The ESP team were nothing but professional in their approach to Health and Safety on the site – all required signs and fencing were in place and remained so throughout the whole build. All staff were polite and courteous to the public passing by and the Lead on the project ensured that the project continued to progress efficiently and safely. Near the end of the project I became more involved in the final decisions and sign off – Dean Shaw ESP Head of Installations was nothing but Professional and helpful and extremely knowledgeable on the legislation regarding the equipment installed. 

ESP Play Parks have provided us with a fantastic and challenging play park that will be enjoyed by the public for many years to come.

The quote of the day was from Anna who heads up Mums on a Mission – Swindon

‘To see so many of our children able to play alongside their peers inclusively is what we’ve campaigned long and hard for, ESP Play Parks have created the best inclusive multi play unit we have ever seen, we’d like to see it included in every play area. Watching the adult SEN users enjoy the play area as well, has been just magical, that is our future and we now know the future for our children is positive’