Great Grounds now have their very own design team based at our head office in Stockport. Using the latest CAD software the design team develop ideas, working with schools and a diverse range of clients in both the education and commercial sectors.

Our specialist school designers are able to shape the future of outdoor learning facilities, designing challenging features that create a range of new learning opportunities.

Conventional play equipment which often seen in playgrounds can look tired and uninspiring. What is most important from a child’s perspective is ‘does it look like fun and will it give some challenges’. Too easy is no fun! An example of our thinking is that ‘a child can find a variety of ways to climb up to the top of a log feature in comparison to a ladder, allowing them to make their own decisions and assess new risks and challenges’

Natural and recycled materials such as hard woods can be used in a number of different ways helping children to think about sustainability whilst challenging their physical boundaries.

We design using a selection of materials with a preference to use natural materials, in addition to other elements including wet pour soft surfacing and artificial turf to offer critical fall properties which will allow us to design a climbing feature that keeps children safe. 

Nursery trails and Mud kitchens can bring new interest into school grounds, stimulating the imagination of young children whilst creating new challenges and learning experiences.

Ultimately, Great Grounds want to offer an alternative to conventional play equipment and help teach a generation of children to take calculated risks and challenge themselves in a safe environment.