Rubber Mulch Playground Surfacing at Great Meols Primary School, Wirral

School profile

Having worked with the school on a number of playground projects over the years, Great Meols Primary contacted ESP Play again when they needed help improving an underused and increasingly unsafe area of their outdoor space.

The school wanted to transform an existing patch of soil into a safe, attractive and practical area that would complement the artificial grass already installed elsewhere in the playground.

The challenge

The school had an area of exposed soil that was in desperate need of a suitable playground surface.

The adjoining section of the playground had already been transformed with artificial grass, but there was a level difference where the two surfaces met. This had created a potential trip hazard for children moving between the areas.

The soil itself was also becoming problematic.

The children had been digging large holes in the ground, creating further uneven areas and additional potential trip hazards.

There were also several existing tree stumps within the area. These had previously been carved into attractive features for the children, but they had started to rot and were no longer suitable to remain in the playground.

ESP Play advised the school that the deteriorating tree stumps should be removed before the new surfacing was installed. Leaving them in place would have meant that, as they continued to decay, they would eventually leave holes in the newly surfaced area that the school would then need to repair.

The school therefore needed a playground surfacing solution that could address the uneven ground, eliminate the existing trip hazards and work effectively around the curved edges and existing trees.

The solution

A vibrant Rubber Mulch playground surface.

ESP Play recommended Rubber Mulch as the most suitable surfacing solution for the area.

The flexible properties of Rubber Mulch make it particularly effective around existing trees, allowing the surface to accommodate movement from tree roots without the same risk of tearing that can occur with artificial grass.

The material also worked well with the curved edges of the existing artificial grass, creating a neat transition between the two areas.

Rubber Mulch was also an ideal way to transform the previously unsightly patch of soil into a bright, soft and visually engaging playground surface.

The school could choose from a range of natural Rubber Mulch colours, including:

• Green
• Brown
• Blue
• Harvest

The school chose blue Rubber Mulch to create a strong contrast with the existing green artificial grass.

They also liked the idea that the blue surface could encourage imaginative play, with the children potentially using the area as a pretend pool or body of water as part of their role play.

Why Rubber Mulch for a School Playground?

Rubber Mulch is a versatile playground surfacing option that can be particularly useful when working with existing outdoor features.

For Great Meols Primary School, its flexibility was an important advantage.

The new surface needed to work around existing trees and their roots. Rubber Mulch can flex around established trees, helping to reduce the risk of the surface becoming damaged as the roots move and develop.

Its appearance was another benefit.

The school wanted the new area to complement the existing artificial grass while also creating a clear visual distinction between the two spaces. The blue Rubber Mulch provided exactly that contrast.

The surface also helped transform an area that had previously been bare soil and uneven into a more attractive and functional part of the playground.

Safety Considerations

Improving safety was one of the key objectives of the project.

The existing transition between the artificial grass and soil had created a level difference, while the holes being dug by the children had resulted in additional uneven areas.

The deteriorating tree stumps were another consideration.

Before the new surfacing could be installed, ESP Play recommended removing the rotting stumps. This prevented the area from developing further holes as the timber continued to deteriorate and ensured the new playground surface could be installed on a more suitable foundation.

The new Rubber Mulch surface then provided a consistent finish across the previously uneven area, eliminating the trip hazards associated with the exposed soil and level changes.

The result was a safer and more practical environment for children to use.

A Tree-Friendly Playground Surface

The existing trees were an important part of the playground and needed to be retained.

Rubber Mulch was particularly well suited to the site because of its flexibility.

Unlike more rigid surfacing solutions, Rubber Mulch can accommodate established tree roots and their natural movement.

This made it a practical choice for Great Meols Primary, allowing the school to improve the area without compromising the existing trees.

The curved edges of the artificial grass also made Rubber Mulch a visually effective choice, creating a smooth transition between the existing and new surfaces.

Installation

Before the new playground surfacing could be installed, the existing rotting tree stumps were removed.

The exposed soil and uneven areas were then prepared for the new Rubber Mulch surface.

The new surfacing was carefully installed around the existing trees and alongside the artificial grass, following the curved shape of the existing playground area.

Blue Rubber Mulch was selected as the finished colour, creating a vibrant contrast against the existing green artificial grass.

The completed surface transformed the previously bare and uneven area into a bright and inviting part of the school playground.

The outcome

A safer, brighter and more engaging playground area.

The completed project has transformed the once unsightly patch of soil at Great Meols Primary School into a vibrant new playground area.

The new Rubber Mulch surface has:

• Eliminated the previous trip hazards
• Covered the uneven soil area
• Created a consistent surface alongside the artificial grass
• Worked effectively around the existing trees
• Provided a bright and attractive finish
• Created opportunities for imaginative and role play
• Improved the overall appearance of the playground

The blue Rubber Mulch provides a striking contrast against the existing green artificial grass and gives the children another feature that can inspire imaginative play.

Having already completed a number of projects for Great Meols Primary, ESP Play is thrilled to have supported the school again and looks forward to working with them on future playground improvements.

School testimonial

“We are delighted with how the space looks and the service from ESP from start to finish. We would definitely recommend you and work with you on future projects.”

Great Meols Primary School, Wirral