The young people who persuaded their parents to brave a bracing winter morning were delighted when the Mayor of Loughton, councillor Suzanne Harper, opened the newly refurbished play area at Roding Valley recreation ground.  

The new play area was designed to provide an outdoor activity centre that would be modern, stimulating and present a positive play experience for children of all ages.  All of the original play apparatus, with the exception of the swing unit which was upgraded, was removed and replaced with new contemporary BigToys units designed, supplied and installed by Watford-based Monster Play Systems.

The project was funded by Loughton Town Council with assistance from the Essex County Council Community Initiatives Fund. The BigToys range is manufactured with a high content of recycled materials, so the new equipment conforms to Essex County Council’s waste strategy to maximise reuse and recycling.

The centrepiece is a BigToys Acclaim unit that will hold more than 30 children and incorporates 8 activities in the one unit. The innovative Rock ‘n Cross combines a multi rider see-saw with a dynamic overhead challenge, while the Playpod traverse, pedestals and balance beam challenge users of all ages to invent games using strength, agility and balance. Special wet pour safety rubber surfacing covers the play area and provides a gentle landing for any youngster who might slip from the new equipment.

Before cutting the ribbon to open the play area, the Mayor, councillor Suzanne Harper commented “I recently overheard some young people who were visiting from Woodford who said that this was the best playground to come to, and that really says it all.”

Loughton Town Clerk, Louise Fuller added, “The thinking behind the new playground was that it should be inclusive to a wide range of age groups and we are satisfied that it does now accommodate both infants and older users alike. The Town Council is confident that playground users, of which there are many, will enjoy this greatly improved facility.”

e n d s

Date     March 2008

Editor’s Notes

High resolution photographs available on request

More about Monster Play Systems Ltd

Monster Play Systems is one of the UK’s fastest growing and most innovative provider of children’s play equipment, youth shelters, skate parks and ball courts. The innovative ‘BigToys’ range introduced in 2005, is made utilising recycled steel and plastics, and gives BigToys one of the highest percentages of recycled content available in play equipment today.  Their modern YS range of youth shelters are designed to withstand heavy use, are vandal resistant and have solar powered lighting and radios as optional extras. The company has steadily built up a reputation not only for quality products but also for the highest levels of customer service. This philosophy together with the challenge to provide a safe, positive play experience that is also fun, exciting and developmentally appropriate has resulted in Monster Play Systems becoming the UK’s fastest growing and most innovative provider of children’s play equipment. 

Contact

Marco Boi, Sales and Marketing Manager, Monster Play Systems  e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Media Contact  Colin Caldicott, Ultimedia PR   e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it