Project approach
At BOER Playground Equipment, we design your projects with the utmost of care and structure. In this process, we follow seven steps:
1) Information gathering
To get a good sense of what the demands and wishes of our customers are, we meet with them at the start of every project. Next we pay a visit to the desired location and photograph the playground and its surroundings. When doing so, we also observe the flow of traffic, infrastructure, and everything else that influences the location. Using digital floor-plans provided by the council and using all of the information we collected ourselves, we get to work!
This phase is also the moment in which we inquire to the wishes of the children and nearby residents by organizing customer participation sessions.
Children’s participationIn order to involve the residents with the development process, we greatly support having children decide what they would like in their playground. A great way to stimulate them to do so, is by letting them fabricate their own ideal playground models, using paper and cardboard. Of course, we do make sure the children know some of the demands. After all, it’s not logical to let them choose from the largest equipment, when there is only enough space or budget for a smaller piece of equipment. This process does require a certain amount of planning, which is why it is often done together with schools or community centres.
For smaller children we use a different approach. Using examples of play elements and equipment, the children put stickers on the things they like (yellow sticker) or don’t like (red sticker).
Most importantly, it’s meant to be a fun afternoon in which the kids can show in their own, natural way what they would like to play with on their future playground. BOER guides the events and takes care of the paper, pencils and other materials.
Residents’ participation
Not only the children, but the adults are important as well. A playground that the residents don’t like will often lead to complaints and irritations, despite that the playground is meant to be an addition to the neighbourhood. That’s why we also often sit down with the adult residents to discuss their wishes concerning the playground in their neighbourhood. Along with the proper authorities from the council, BOER is also present at these meetings, taking heed of what is discussed. For one playground, one session of participation is all that is needed. This has proven to be true for both the adults’ as well as the children’s participation.
2) PlanningBased on the previously collected information, a draft and structural sketch are further developed and translated to a (digital) floor plan, including equipment and infrastructure. When planning, we follow a set pattern:
a) based on the surrounding environment and infrastructure, we determine the focal points of the area. The focal points show how people will view the terrain. At places where the various lines of sight collide, we include an eye catcher in the design.
b) Next, the zoning is made. We do this by firstly placing the same age groups together and then sorting the equipment based on the different play functions.
c) By applying a logical play route throughout the terrain, we add flow and movement to the playground, but we also prevent the smaller children from being overrun by the older youth. We also take general safety in regard; a child sliding off a slide should not be in risk of getting hit by another cilld on a swing.
d) Finally, we make use of all our collective creativity and fantasy when designing the playground. We add several pieces of equipment and the infrastructure to the floor plan. This gives a first impression of what the playground will eventually look like.
e) To get a good impression of the playground, we create a 3D render of the playground. These renders are very suitable for communication with municipalities, schools, residents and other various sponsors. But of course it’s also wonderful for the children to know what their future playground will look like!
3) BudgetHere is when we first calculate the budget, based on the price of the equipment, infrastructure, safety floors and everything else which is needed for a complete playground. If there is a set budget, we have several possibilities to adjust our design to your budget.
4) MeetingThe draft design is (especially with larger projects) the discussion point for further adjustments and refinement. Together with the client, we decide on a definite design.
5) Definitive designWith all parties agreed on the proposition, the definitive design is created. Adjustments are applied and the new playground is visualized in both 2D and 3D, it now truly comes to life! These visualizations are excellent for fundraising, amongst other things.
6) QuotationFor the definite design, a quotation is made. The design and the cost overview are presented in an easy to handle quotation. Various drawings and photographs are also added to the package.
7) PresentationThe design phase ends with a presentation of the definite design. This can be done with a small company of people, but of course we can also do this presentation for related parties, residents and children.
