Silksworth Adventure Play Park

Completed in late 2010, this adventure play park is part of a wider activity hub and is associated with the construction of new pool and leisure facilities adjacent to an existing dry ski slope in Sunderland. Adventure Play for the whole family was the driving force behind the design, with exploration and inviting installations being the lever to promote activity.

The site was historically used as part of a colliery which provided some inspiration to the design in the creation of:

• ‘The Pit Track’ which runs down the steep slope towards the quarry. The concept for this area was loosely based on the idea of an old pit track broken to create an ‘Indiana Jones’ style adventure experience with a series of long slides providing races down the hill. A large climbing boulder balances precariously at the top of the hill. Each slide and the boulders provide a play destination in their owen right.


• ‘The Quarry’, located adjacent to the swimming pool and tennis centre, creates a family base to the park with picnic maze, wigwam structures, and fire pit. A large sand pit forms the quarry floor with the old blacksmith climbing hut and diggers to move the sand around. Elevated walkways over the grassland swamp enhance the sense of adventure, and a variety of swings cater for all users. Adjacent to this is the large stage and arena for larger organized events such as den building.


• ‘The Forest’ is positioned beyond the quarry arena within a grid of trees. This area includes a 7m high swing rope, scales swings and a large timber and rope climbing structure.
 

Client

Sunderland City Council/ Pellicaan

Project Team

Contractor – Trevor Atkinson & Co Ltd

Location

Sunderland

Stage

Completion 2010