This case study comes from Park Lane Community Garden which is a volunteer run garden and is accessible to everyone. Visit their Facebook page to keep up to date with the progress of the Park Lane Community Garden Project and up to date with any upcoming events and activities. The volunteers were looking to create a sensory area in the garden for children to enjoy whilst in the area. The group decided to find some protective flooring to protect their visitors in case of trips or falls. You can see below the plan they created for the area, read on to see what product they decided to use, the installation process and their thoughts on the finished project:
The Project
The volunteers began searching online for a suitable play area flooring solution which would protect the users of the sensory area if indeed there were trips and falls. After some browsing they came across our website and our fully recycled Rubber Play Tiles. After they had read up on their many benefits such as being interlocking and easy to install, available in multiple colours and would be a protective surface, they ordered 33 Red Rubber Play Tiles and 33 Green Rubber Play Tiles. Their order was dispatched and arrived with them just 3 working days later ready to be installed.
Installing The Equipment and Play Tiles
The groups play tiles arrived via pallet to the garden and they were able to being their installation as soon as they were ready. The area where the tiles and play equipment would be installed was already clear and was just a section of soil.
To begin, the team ensured that the existing floor was suitable to have the tiles installed on which it was, if it was not strong enough the tiles may have sunk or moved when walked on. From here they dug out holes for the legs of the play equipment before putting the sensory play items in the correct place and back filling to ensure they were secure.
Next, the team created a raised sleeper bed on the left of the play equipment using timber to create a division between the play area and the path leading to the gate of the garden and another place for them to plant new flowers.
Finally, the team could begin laying their rubber play tiles. They laid one tile at a time and stuck them to the existing ground using rubber adhesive. With the tile in place they then laid an opposite coloured tile at each side in a checkerboard style and they repeated this until the entire area was filled. As you can see in the photos, some of the tiles had to be cut to fit the unique shape of the sensory area but this was not too hard to complete. With the last tiles in place, everyone could begin to enjoy their new sensory area!
Conclusion
The new sensory area looks amazing and the volunteers and community are delighted with their brand new sensory area, it is a great addition to their already fantastic garden!
The group told us: “We are delighted with the tiles and the children love the sensory garden – they are coming from all over Shetland and the tourists love it too- thanks for working with us on the project-it’s created a really special space!”
A huge thank you for the photos and information from everyone at Park Lane Community Garden! If you have images to share of your installation or have any questions regarding our products then please do not hesitate to contact us.
Coloured Recycled Rubber Tiles
