Case Study Header Image Muddy boots

Muddy Boots, Fife

Fact File

Services Provided

The concept was to design, manufacture and install a central octagonal tower linked by bridges to other towers, of different platform heights each with a wide selection of activities and climbing elements.

Robinia Timber poles – that retain the natural shape and taper of the tree would be used for the front facing towers giving a greater impact on first appearance. Machine rounded timbers would be used for less visible towers.

The structure could be added to and altered in the future, as required.

The project was developed from a pencil sketch through to detailed scaled layouts so that all the interconnecting bridges, access and exit points could be created specifically to suit.

Our own qualified play park inspector would ensure that the final play area complied with all the required safety regulations, write a full safety report and offer guidelines for future maintenance.

Access and Exit Points
The design ensured that children of all ages could access and exit the towers at various points whilst also offering more of a challenge to the older, more able children.

These include
Stainless Steel Arched Ladder and Spiral Slides
Jungle Log Ladders
Vertical Climbing Steps and Solid Steps with handrails
Climbing Ramps with Pull Ropes and Scramble nets

Bridges
A wide selection of bridges as follows:2.9m Chunky Rope Bridge
3.9m Timber V Log Bridge
2.8m U shaped rope bridge with timber treads
2.7m V rope bridge with timber treads
2.7m V rope bridge with timber treads
2.7m Timber Clatter bridge
Two varieties of Climbing Wall and Tunnels also feature in the play area to add even more adventure and interest.

Materials used
Tower Legs: Peeled and sanded Robinia poles for the front legs of the towers and machine-rounded, sanded and pressure-treated 14cm diameter poles 14cm diameter for the legs at the back of the towers.
Platform Framing: C24 graded timbers, planed, dressed and with eased corners
Decking Timbers are profiled Northern Redwood.
Balustrades have machined and sanded half-round timbers with Robinia waney edged boards for a natural-looking finish.
Herculean Rope -16 & 19mm steel core with soft-to-touch fibre surface is used throughout.

All structural fixings are countersunk to avoid snagging risk and all
tructures are concreted into the ground to ensure stability and safety.

Safety surfacing

Bonded Rubber Mulch with a green/brown mix coloured finish minimises the risk of injury and offers a nice surface for little ones to walk and crawl along.

The project timeline covered a period of six weeks which included clearing of the existing play barn right through to final site inspection and issuing of safety report.

The client provided the following
Access to water supply.
Clear access and parking for the delivery vehicles during the working day (8.30-17.00).
Responsibility of the client to ensure children and the public are kept clear of the equipment and the working area.
Ability to leave on-site waste topsoil.

Budget: undisclosed

Muddy Boots is a popular working farm with a farm shop, café and play area situated just outside Cupar, in Fife.

The family-run business is a diversified farm first bought by the current owners great-grandfather in the 1930s.

They have been successfully selling soft fruit and offering a fun play experience for decades attracting people of all ages to come and play and to visit the shop and tea room. Other activities offered include zorbing, grass sledging, adventure trails and pottery parties to name just a few.

Caledonia Play were approached to redevelop the existing indoor adventure play barn which was exceptionally worn and not in-keeping with the natural ethos of the working farm. The idea was to create a large open structure of large and small towers interconnected with a variety of bridges and access and exit points. The design was to invite children to explore and utilise all of the equipment from the front areas right through to the back, and to be something unusual and unique with a ‘wow factor’ that could be used all year round even in wet weather.

The final Play Barn would be an asset to Muddy Boots, able to be used as a useful marketing tool and increase footfall.

The clients were keen for the existing double slide to be kept and interfaced with the new structure which we were happy to make work.

 

 

  • The existing play area was in need of a total refresh
    The existing play area was in need of a total refresh
  • Detailed drawings were created
    Detailed drawings were created
  • The installation team hard at work
    The installation team hard at work
  • The completed play area
    The completed play area
  • Post installation inspection
    Post installation inspection
  • Quality stainless steel Spiral Ladder
    Quality stainless steel Spiral Ladder
  • Bespoke Rock Climbing Wall
    Bespoke Rock Climbing Wall
  • All nets manufactured specifically for this installation
    All nets manufactured specifically for this installation
  • Scramble Net access point
    Scramble Net access point