The freedom to play and the quality of that play is at the essence of physical health, mental health and community health for people of all ages. It is however of particular importance for children and their development, navigating through to adulthood.

We learn through exploring and testing with risk a vital aspect to be tested. The value of play activity has been found to be most beneficial and stimulating where an element of physical activity and risk is inherent.

Collaborating with Tim Gill, Colour won a quality-biased competition to deliver 14 community play schemes as part their Pathfinder Play programme across the City of Sunderland. We were appointed by Sunderland City Council as lead consultants, landscape architects and project administrators.

The process was truly collaborative as expressed by Carol Lewis, Play Pathfinder Programme Manager for City Services at Sunderland City Council :

"I just wanted to say thank you for all the work you've done which has left Sunderland with some fantastic play provision. I've enjoyed working with Colour and I remember from the presentations and interview stage of the tender process you talked about working in partnership with clients and that's has certainly been the case, on occasions I think we've faced a number of challenges!! In partnership, your support has been fantastic."

Sites were located in a diverse range of localities from existing play areas to parkland and urban brown field locations with design proposals responding to key existing site features and feedback from an extensive public consultation process.

The over-arching aim was to create 'natural' play environments and working with Tim Gill and Sunderland City Council we implemented a risk-benefit approach. Natural materials and the inherent landscape features of each site were used to create a sense of adventure, exploration, and unfolding play opportunities rather than relying solely on formal play equipment.