On behalf of Libéma, we contributed to the final creation of a very special water playground near the tiger enclosure in the Eindhoven Zoo in Mierlo (the Netherlands). This water playground, located right next to the tiger enclosure, is optically connected to the tiger moat, so it looks as if children can play in the exact same water as the tigers.
A water playground for the tigers as well as the children
While designing the new tiger enclosure, Rick Merkx, designer at Libéma, had the unique idea of linking the tiger enclosure’s water moat to a water playground for the children. This way, from the playground, the children would have a direct view of the tigers, who could perhaps go paddling at the same time. Rick took his inspiration for the new water playground from the water playground we realised at Vrouwenhof in Roosendaal.
Design water playground
To realise this special idea, we were asked to further develop the design for this unique water playground. As a basis for the water playground, we created our tried-and-tested watercourse. The watercourse starts at a pump, which allows playing children to pump up the water themselves. Next, the watercourse appears to run under a bridge, straight into the tiger moat. However, this is an optical illusion. In reality, the water is collected in a lava basin strategically placed under the bridge, after which the water is filtered and circulated there.
Play equipment around the watercourse
A watercourse without playground equipment does not make a real water playground, of course. That is why we also added some play equipment to the design. The request from the Animal Kingdom was to create a playground with sufficient capacity, so that many children could play at the same time. Naturally, we took this into account in our choice of equipment. A sandbox, balance bridge, stilt path, various stepping stones and boulders ensure that children can play to their heart’s content in, on and around this play lake.
Inclusive play area
Another big wish for Eindhoven Zoo was to provide an inclusive play area. While designing the water playground, we gave careful consideration to the opportunities for children and/or parents with physical disabilities to play together. Parts of the site are therefore also accessible to them. For instance, we poured a sand-coloured cast floor around the water pump so that it is easily accessible to everyone at all times.
Planting
A natural playground becomes extra beautiful with planting around it. The planting around the water playground is done in-house by Eindhoven Zoo. Among other things, they take into account the maximum growth height of the planting in relation to sightlines, so that the planting does not obstruct the view of the animal enclosures.
Good cooperation for a brilliant result
A creative idea, clever design and good cooperation with Libéma and Van de Beeten ensured that we were once again able to realise a wonderful playground.
Remco van de Berg, one of our recreation consultants involved in this project comments: “On one of my visits to Eindhoven Zoo, it was once again fantastic to see what an impact the combination of sand, water and play equipment has on children. Children dive straight into the play area, and parents take a seat on the terrace of the adjacent catering outlet. This water playground has everything to become one of the most popular spots in the park.”
Sander van der Heuvel, general manager at Eindhoven Zoo, can’t help but agree. “It was great to see that during the second day the play area was officially open, the weather was lovely and warm. We saw right away that the children started playing enthusiastically in and with the water.” This is in line with expectations, and was also one of the reasons for Eindhoven Zoo to choose a water playground at this location in the park.
Water playground as magnet for hospitality point
Sander continues: “This year, we haven’t really had any hot days yet, but we are counting on that being precisely when the children will come to cool off in this new water playground. For us, it remains to be seen what season ticket holders will do then. Will they choose to cool down in the water playground here in the animal kingdom during the hot days, or will they look for another location to cool down.”
This revamped play area also has a positive effect on the adjacent hospitality point. “We actually see that a play area near a hospitality point always has a positive effect on visitor numbers. The combination of the sand and water play will only strengthen this effect.”
