New play area now open at Bransbury Park

We’re creating a new hub in Bransbury Park which will bring sports, swimming and healthcare together. As part of the project, we have built a new play area in the southwest corner of the playing field.

We’re delighted to say that the new play area is now open and ready for children and families to enjoy.

The play area was designed to:

  • Be safe, fun and welcoming
  • Be exciting, stimulating and accessible for all children to use, including those with disabilities
  • Offer different options for a wide range of ages
  • Provide comfortable seating options so that adults and families can watch over children easily
  • Be visually attractive and fit in with the surrounding area

The completed play area includes a new train-themed piece of play equipment, which takes pride of place at its centre. The driver’s cab features a bench, along with knobs and handles for imaginative play, while an open playroom with seating sits just behind the chimney.

Local councillors worked with council officers to include the train-themed equipment, inspired by the much-loved Bransbury Flyer climbing frame that previously stood in the park. The plaque from the Bransbury Flyer has been re-used on the new train in the park.

 

Accessibility

We worked with Portsmouth Parent Voice, play specialists and landscape architects throughout the design process.

The play area includes a range of accessible features, including a basket swing, trampoline and accessible picnic benches with provision for wheelchair users. New trees will provide shade and create quieter spaces, while sensory planting and wildflower areas help create an engaging environment for children and families.

The surfacing includes resin-bound rubber mulch around equipment and grass or grass-reinforcement tiles elsewhere, helping the play area blend into its surroundings while remaining accessible.

The design aims to encourage play, exploration and discovery for children of different ages and abilities.