New LEAP Play Area at Flagship Vistry Development Drakelow. Designed and Installed by ESP

The Playground Project

Located right in the heart of this prestigious new community, the play area provides residents with a beautifully designed outdoor space where children of all ages and abilities can play, explore and grow together. Designed with a natural look and feel, the play area makes striking use of laminated timber throughout much of the equipment, lending the space a warm, organic character that blends seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. The timber elements bring a sense of texture and craftsmanship to the design, creating play features that are as visually appealing as they are durable and fun to use. Complementing the natural timber is a thoughtful selection of high-quality steel equipment, including an inclusive wheelchair-accessible roundabout and a smart steel slide. The wheelchair-accessible roundabout is a particularly special feature, ensuring that children of all abilities can join in the fun side by side, a true reflection of ESP's commitment to inclusive design. The surfacing across the area has been carefully selected to balance natural aesthetics with safety and practicality. A combination of real turf, grass matting and vibrant wetpour safety surfacing creates distinct play zones, each tailored to its use. The result is a play area that feels green, welcoming and at one with the environment, while still meeting the highest standards of safety and durability. ESP were delighted to deliver this exceptional scheme for Vistry North Midlands at one of their most important developments. We would like to thank Vistry for their continued trust and partnership, and we wish the new residents of Drakelow many happy years of play and community life in their wonderful new space.