West Bay Play Area Project: Giving Back to Our Local Community
Back in 2010, we completed the West Bay play area project, and it remains one of our most iconic design and installation projects to date. Take a look at how the transformation took place and why it means so much to us.
As a business in the local area, we couldn't turn down the opportunity to work on this classic Bridport park. Producing a final product that will benefit the community for years to come is one of our proudest moments.
As well as providing a place for local residents to play, it's also proved to be a highlight for the many holidaymakers who travel to holiday parks on the Jurassic Coast, encouraging tourism to return to the local area year after year.
Since its installation 15 years ago, we've diligently maintained and upgraded the playground equipment to ensure it remains safe and fun for everyone.
To showcase the incredible work of our Huck Play team, we've pulled together an overview of the West Bay Play Park project to give you an insight into what we can offer your community.
“I would recommend Huck Play to anyone looking to build a project like this. Their design, installation and aftercare are second to none, and they really understand what play should be and what users want.”
– Daryl Chambers, Town Surveyor, Bridport Town Council
An Overview of the West Bay Playground
We worked very closely with Bridport Town Council to develop a playground that would serve its purpose and interconnect with the area's heritage.
Bridport has a long-standing history in rope-making, so we thought it'd be a great tribute to the town's past by incorporating rope play elements and features into the park — which is where our speciality lies.
A Truly Bespoke Adventure Playground Design
The brief:
- Pick up all the children’s ideas.
- Include aspects of the area’s heritage, boat building, ships, rope, coast, etc
- Be inclusive more than ever before.
- Challenge, make it adventurous.
- New ideas breaking down old boundaries.
To mesh the town's rope-making roots with the beach and seaside location, our playground design team cleverly drew up a shipwreck-themed play area that perfectly incorporates rope-based elements and creates an imaginative play experience.
There are 3 main sections of the Bridport beach play area, each of which represents different parts of a ship, each featuring a huge variety of our rope play equipment and combining to form a place of play like no other
“This site is our true pride and joy and highlights just how much you can do with rope-based play equipment.
The local area is steeped in rope-making history, so we made the perfect partner for the council to work with from consultation and design right through to installation.”
– Anthony Lucas, Huck Play’s Play Development Manager
Playground Equipment Featured in the Bridport Park
The West Bay play area boasts a series of slides, trampolines, rope towers, Huck Bird's Nest® Swings, a rope bridge, and various spinning equipment, so there's something for everyone.
In addition to our equipment, the site is dotted with tables and benches, giving parents a place to watch their children or for the kids to take a quick break between plays.
Combine the sand ground cover, and the surrounding natural environment, and it's easy to see why this park is so popular with both children and adults alike.
Explore the play equipment we used for this design below.
Dragon Swinger
One of the most popular pieces of playground equipment we installed is the huge Dragon Swinger gondola-type swing.
The square-braided swinging rope is suspended from Douglas fir posts using our specialist Hercules rope. Children can sit or stand and work together to swing backwards and forwards, creating a unique play experience.
This piece fits nicely into the play area and brings together the core elements at the centre of this project.
Dino 1 Rope Net Pyramid
Another exciting feature of the West Dorset play park is the Dino 1 Rope Net Pyramid, which stands at an impressive 6 metres tall.
The tower combines a classic net pyramid with our iconic Huck Bird's Nest® baskets to create a 'climb and chill' play experience. It's an excellent structure for encouraging children to engage with one another and get their motor skills moving.
Liana Swing
The Liana Swing provides a fun swinging and spinning play activity with the large braided ropes suspended from galvanised steel posts.
The ropes almost droop down from the posts, creating a hammock-style seat for children to swing and spin around.
Once again, it made perfect sense to include this piece of equipment in this project as it fits in with the shipwreck design and is in keeping with a rope focus.
Upgrading the West Bay Playground with Inclusive Equipment
| Midi DDA Swing Seat | "Rolli" Trampoline with Wheelchair Access |
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As a part of our ongoing service and work with the local council, we recently added a series of inclusive playground equipment to the site.
Doing so saw the park receive the coveted PiPA award for creating a play area that successfully combined facilities for both the able-bodied and those with additional needs.
West Bay is one of 30+ such sites in Great Britain and the second in the South West, which is something the team is extremely proud of.
Some of the inclusive playground equipment featured includes:
- Wheelchair Accessible Swing
- Huck Original Birds Nest Swing
- Various Sensory Panels and Musical Instruments
- Wide Embankment Slide with Easy Access Ramp.
Play should be accessible to every child, so having the opportunity to improve what was already an incredible playground was one we simply couldn’t miss.
A Testament to Lasting Quality & Investment
Fifteen years on from the initial completion of this playground project, we're still seeing huge numbers of children enjoying the space—both local and from further afield!
The park remains an important part of the local community and continues to attract visitors from all over the country, which is great for the local economy.
The lasting popularity of our play equipment shows the value of investing in well-designed, durable facilities for the community.
By maintaining high standards and using quality materials, we’ve created a space that is safe, long-lasting, and enjoyable for children of all ages, demonstrating the long-term benefits of focusing on quality.
Investing in facilities like this not only meets practical needs but also builds connections, promotes active lifestyles, and supports local well-being. It’s a true success story for the area, and we at Huck Play are really proud of it.
Want to Transform Your Local Play Area? Choose Huck Play!
If you represent or are part of a local council who are looking to refresh an existing park or install a completely new project, our team at Huck Play are more than happy to work with you.
As the UK's leading supplier of rope-based play equipment, we know exactly what it takes to create play areas that meet everyone's needs.
We offer full end-to-end services, from the initial site survey right through to the installation and maintenance of the equipment, so we'll work with you closely at each step. Reach out to our team today to discuss your project.
FAQs
What Does Your End-to-End Playground Service Include?
Our end-to-end service includes site surveys, customised design, manufacturing, delivery, installation, and maintenance. We ensure every step is tailored to your specific requirements, creating safe, engaging, and durable play environments for all users.
How Do I Get Funding for a Play Area?
You can explore grants, local council funding, community fundraising, or sponsorships from businesses.
Read our in-depth guide to seeking Funding for Playgrounds in the UK.
Can Huck Play Help Me Get Funding for a Play Area?
We've written guides on how to write grant applications and help identify potential opportunities.
How Much Does a Bespoke Playground Cost?
The cost of a bespoke playground varies depending on size, materials, and design complexity. Contact us for a tailored quote to fit your specific requirements and budget.