Strong Close

The mature trees and all garden structures were lost when the building was extended and a new car park created.

Strong Close PRESENTThe staff regretted this loss and wanted to create new natural and adventure play features. The land left after the building works were completed was flat and mainly grassed next to the building, with a very steep slope by the boundary fence.

On a strip of land next to the nursery was a short-cut used by parents and children which did not have a proper surface. Together with the uncut grass, this did not encourage dog walkers to clean up after their dogs.

Strong Close PRESENT UDT produced several options for the nursery area and public access and presented them to the nursery and local residents. Following this consultation, a master plan was produced for the preferred scheme with the following proposals. On the flat garden area, the proposals include an irregular path network with bound gravel surface to allow disabled access in all weather conditions and where children can practice. Within this network there is a big play area with bark safety surface and climbing equipment, a picnic area with raised herb bed, a climbing wall on a block work garden shed, a digging area in an underused part of the garden separated from the rest of garden by timber logs, and a safe water feature to encourage children to spot local wild life.

Strong Close PRESENT It is proposed that the slopes are stabilised and then used as a play feature with an embankment slide and various timber and net climbing structures. Some new planting will be carried out to separate the busy road and the garden but still allow children to observe traffic if they wish. The range of plants chosen encourages all aspects of play with and creates more interesting spaces within the garden.

Because of budgets, the work is to be phased, and the first phase is now being planned.