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Rubber Play Tiles To Create Sensory Play Area

This case study highlights the fantastic work carried out by Park Lane Community Garden, a volunteer-run community space that is open and accessible to everyone. The garden team wanted to create an engaging sensory area where children could play, explore, and enjoy the outdoor environment safely.

To support the project, the volunteers searched for durable and reliable sensory garden flooring that would help protect visitors from slips, trips, and falls while using the space. After carefully planning the area, the group selected a safety surfacing solution designed to provide both comfort and peace of mind for families visiting the garden.

Below, you can see the original design plan for the sensory area, along with details on the product they chose, the installation process, and their thoughts on the completed project. Visit their Facebook page to stay up to date with the latest progress, events, and activities taking place at Park Lane Community Garden.

The Project

When planning the new sensory area, the volunteers wanted a safe and practical play area flooring solution that would help reduce the risk of injury from trips and falls. After researching different options online, they discovered our range of fully recycled Rubber Play Tiles and felt they were the ideal choice for the project.

The team were particularly impressed by the many benefits the tiles offered, including their interlocking design for quick installation, vibrant colour options, and durable cushioned surface suitable for busy community spaces. To create a bright and engaging sensory area, the group selected 33 red tiles and 33 green tiles to bring their design to life.

Once the order was placed, the tiles were quickly dispatched and delivered within just three working days, allowing the volunteers to begin transforming the space straight away.

Installing The Equipment and Play Tiles

Once the delivery arrived via pallet, the volunteers at Park Lane Community Garden were able to begin installing the new sensory area straight away. The site had already been cleared and prepared, leaving a level soil base ready for the installation.

The team first checked the ground was stable and suitable to support the play equipment and flooring, then installed the sensory play features securely by digging support holes and backfilling around them. They also built a raised timber sleeper bed alongside the area to separate the play space from the garden path and create additional planting space.

Next, the volunteers began laying the Rubber Play Tiles, fixing each tile to the ground with adhesive. The tiles were laid in a red and green checkerboard pattern, with some edge pieces cut to fit the shape of the area.

Once complete, the new sensory space was finished and ready for use, providing a safe and vibrant area for the community to enjoy.

Conclusion

The new sensory area looks fantastic and the volunteers along with the wider community are delighted with the result. It has become a valuable addition to the garden, offering a safe and engaging space for visitors of all ages.

The group shared:
“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 big thank you to everyone at Park Lane Community Garden for sharing the photos and project details. If you have images of your own installation or any questions about our products, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.