What makes the best park/playground? Helping design our local one!

[Hmmmmminteresting]

We currently have an old playground set in a field (not a huge field but quite big) just down the road from our house. It's well looked after but in need of an upgrade.
I have been asked to give ideas about how to improve the entire space but it's hard as I have 2 x young ds so I want a space that's user friendly for all ages.
I'm thinking to ask for a variety of slide sizes (currently only one large one), more swings (only 2 at present but it's near a primary school so there is always a queue) and outside of the playground some football goals.
Then I'm stuck! Please help...

Our favourite local one had a mock pirate ship in the centre. Kids can climb into it via ladders, a climbing wall or a ramp. Several levels to it and the obligatory "steering wheel". There are two slides - one smooth: one bumpy and a fire fighter's pole.

I like the large circle tyre type swings as well as the standard ones. I also like the swings that have a central point so they are half swing:half roundabout. I can fit my arse on both.

A decent see-saw. One park we go to has those "bouncers" for the younger ones and a really cool see-saw roundabout for the older ones (= adults. Altho NEVER again with a hangover. EVER).

A flying fox.

An "assault course" with stepping stones, swinging bridges, balance beams etc. I prefer wood to metal.

Those trampolines that are sunk in the floor. Also good for disability access.

Lots of things to climb and swing from basically. Stretches the kids muscles and teaches them balance, co-ordination and risk (= FEAR for parents).

I'd love to be a playground designer. If I won the EuroMillions I'd upgrade all the playgrounds in my area!

Also those green gyms for adults. Might be some kind of funding to install them.

Those car seat swings are fantastic, also a zipline

I did this in my local playground.

It was a few years ago. We got grants to fund it, but I think they were all EU, so you're fucked for that now

The grants, although amazing, are a pain and massively time-consuming.

I would recommend planning for equip older than your DCs current age if you want them to get the benefit.
Some kind of climbing frame is v popular. Esp one they can balance on or walk along.

We got a load of posts like high up stepping stones. Those were good.

Zip wires are over-rated, because there's only one go at a time, and if there's a CF around who gives their kid multiple goes whilst a queue forms, people will get cross.

Our best thing was a 'nest' swing.... a single swing, but it's a big circle with netting. They can lay in it while you push. And they can all pile on. And teens and adults can use it too.

Our kids REALLY wanted a climbing wall, which we gave them. But after they scaled it (took approx 30 seconds) they never bothered again!

Hope this is helpful

Sorry, that was long!

Accessible pieces such as swing or roundabout. Nest swing, climbing nets / shapes etc.

A fence and gates to stop dogs pooing in it!

Special needs swing and wheelchair accessible roundabout.

Yes to the fence. A consideration for the parents/carers who use the park too - a picnic bench or seat in a nice (ideally sunny) spot very nearby with a good view of as much of the play area as possible is a godsend. I can't tell you the number of times I've had that awful panicked feeling when you can't see your child. And it turns out they are only on the swing which is miles away from the climbing frame they were happily playing on nanoseconds ago. Sensory type play like drums or xylophone built in are good, esp for SEND, but you'd also have to consider the noise for nearby residents. Things that spark imagination like a climbing frame that could also be an imaginary rocket ship or a shop could also help with socializing for some kids who find this hard. You might also want to consider those outdoor gym type things that parents and kids could both use, we all could probably use more movement in our lives, to keep fit. If I were to ask my kids what they would like in a park, they would say WiFi. That's what we are up against here! So anything that would engage the kids in outdoor play is fantastic. What a lovely thing you are doing!

Have you tried applying for Lottery funding?

The zip wire is very popular at our local playground. Also those climbing frames that have sections leading into each other, with tunnels and different places where you can enter.

A climbing frame for toddlers as well as the older children. A roundabout thing is good too

Benches for parents! There are never enough benches!

We have just had the park opposite us upgraded, so I can tell you what we now have.

2 x 3 swings (one for babies/toddlers, one with those rubber bendy seats.
3 x bouncy single child see saws
One small house climbing frame with slide, ladder, rope bridge, climbing wall and fireman's pole.
One tall climbing frame with jungle gym and horizontal bars.
2 covered seating areas (that the teens sit on top of!) - outside of the park bit.
Basketball hoop and shooting area - outside again
Accessible swing roundabout thing (bloody hell that thing goes fast)
Stepping stone wood blocks with ropes either side.
Spinning dish thing (that makes teens puke)
Imagination area with wooden car/boat/rocket.

All fenced, all with rubber matting, 3 benches.

The little kids use it day in day out.
The big kids have this game where they try to get round without touching the floor.
The teens use the basketball hoop, swing roundabout and sit in or on top of the covered areas.

We are very lucky because we also have a full size football pitch (Sunday League), a fenced tennis court, a fenced basketball/netball/5-a-side court and a trim trail, but ours wasn't grant paid and cost ££££'s.

Zip wires are amazing and more swings of different seats

One of the best things I've seen was the toddler swings with a bench between them so the adults can sit on the bench and swing themselves and the child at the same time. Means you can have a conversation with someone too! You'd probably want non benched ones as well though!