Climbing frame / play equipment in wooded area? Or how to clear the ground

[Flightattendant27]

Have just been clearing large 30ftx50ft area at the end of the garden, which was woodland type bit and full of dead trees, brambles etc. The ground is covered with ivy.

I was thinking of moving the climbing frame into the area but should I try and get the ivy out and rotovate it all, or something, then turf it - or will it be suitable just leaving it?

Obviously not quite so nice to fall off onto as grass but I am scared of the immensely hard work involved in shifting the ivy!!

Help.

Am guessing setting fire to ivy not an option

I think it's best to try and clear it and then you coudl add bark choppings like you see in kids playgrounds/parks.
Can you enlist the help of a burly man to deal with the ivy?

Am liking burly man idea

Yes bark would be great wouldn't it. Isn't it quite pricey though?

(btw thankyou for answering yet another of my gardening questions. Are you on duty this month, or possibly the only other person on Gardening?)

Sure you could get a good deal on bark if you got a whole load of it, from an independent supplier rather than eg B&Q.

And yes am really into gardening at the mo, we have a big project starting this month so am in the zone!

Shame the gardening board is so quiet really, woudl be great to share ideas/tips.

How did you get on with the tree person (was it from the council)?

Good idea, thankyou...

Tree person was rather unenthusiastic, sadly. Last time years ago I got a bloke who was well into it all, but this one was a woman in a buttoned up mac and posh shoes who didn't know what the trees were! Still, she's cleared us to go ahead after 6 weeks which is good.

What's your project? Sounds v exciting?

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I put play bark down once under the climbing frame, note the once bit. It did indeed turn into a giant litter tray.

I'd clear the brambly bits but leave the ivy, will make a lovely woodland play area for your DCs with all the wild life that Danae has mentioned.

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I wouldnt have bothered to clear the ivy either - it's not any harder to land on than grass (or rather, grass isnt any softer to land on). Actually, sand is very good, though I can imagine that it too, would be attractive to cats.. Could you get a large dog too? Play mats arent necc any better to be honest. My dad is a playground safety inspector, and he says that those mats are no better than sand or bark.

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Its very true ivy is good for wildlife and I think its often better to leave it, but bees often nest in it which is not a great surface for a play area. You could leave some of it and just clear the area where the play things will be?
I know bark chippings can be used by cats, but same problem with bare soil and gravel too.
Play mats a good idea.

Thankyou very much, there are some great ideas here - Danae I like the bulbs and ferns. I think what I might do is leave a sort of area of ivy round the edges and very back of the garden, and clear the central bit where the climbing frame will go. I might plant some kind of tough grass seed under it which will probably put the cats off. I think our cat uses a flowerbed where the children don't go, which is fine. (She is very considerate!)

I like the fact that there are no nettles and no bindweed up there - no ground elder either. Have seen a frog or two as well, so reluctant to completely get rid of the ivy.