Slip free play area for famous Royal Botanic Garden, Kew
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January 12, 2017
The world-famous Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew at Wakehurst Place has completed its new children’s play area using JB CitiDeck from Marley Eternit.
As part of a move to attract more families to Kew’s country estate in West Sussex, the internationally important botanical research and education institution wanted to open a new children’s playground which was safe for children, robust enough for wear and tear and also had a natural feel to blend in with its woodland surroundings. The design of the play area also meant the material chosen needed to be easy to cut into rounded edges to wrap around the shape of trees and have large, overhang structures.
JB CitiDeck from Marley Eternit was specified as being ideal for the job and easy to clean, well-suited for areas of heavy usage such as schools and play areas.
Iain Parkinson, conservation and woodlands manager at Kew, said: “Contractor Cedarwood Joinery fitted the product quickly and easily and we were very happy with the service and help we received from Marley Eternit, which ensured the play area was completed to schedule.
“As well as meeting the safety requirements it was also very important the wood weathers well and blends into its surroundings and lasts a long time. We opened the play area in May 2016 and the wood turns a lovely yellow colour in the sunshine, blending in with the oak trees.”
JB CitiDeck was originally developed for use in the Olympic Park, where safety, inclusivity and accessibility were all of paramount importance to the organisers of London 2012. It is now specified for many urban applications and public spaces – from schools and hospitals to housing developments and restaurants.
Charlotte Hughes, product manager at Marley Eternit, said: “JB CitiDeck is ideal for these types of projects, especially at locations like Kew which need to be safe but suited to their environment. Its non-slip, durability and naturally weathering qualities make it perfect for outdoor areas with a high footfall like this. JB CitiDeck is also able to satisfy the need for a long lasting children’s play area at the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew’s country estate in West Sussex, as it needed to last for 15 years.“
www.marleyeternit.co.uk
