At restaurant Charlie in Schaijk (the Netherlands), an unprecedented play area has been created; Charlie’s Adventure Village. The eye-catcher of the new playground is a large fairytale-like play equipment. This equipement is inspired by another from BOERplay situated in SnowWorld Zoetermeer, combined with the look and feel of Archipel a water playground in Dutch themepark ‘De Efteling’. This new playground equipment most certainly has the WOW factor! Once played with it, it will never be forgotten. See for yourself: mission accomplished!
Outdoor space should match indoor play forest
Restaurant Charlie in Schaijk is a charming family restaurant widely renowned. Situated on the outskirts of a Roompot park, this restaurant draws numerous visitors daily. When entering the restaurant, the indoor treehouse catches your eye. Their wish was to replicate this look and feel outside. With several ideas in mind for this Adventure Village, they approached BOERplay, inquiring if we could craft an enchanting outdoor playground. Recreation advisor Remco van de Berg was immediately enthusiastic. He visited the location and thoroughly discussed all wishes and ideas.
Clear desire and good preparation
Restaurant Charlie is part of the VVGroup. The owner of this group, Charles Veerkamp, and his operational director, Willem van Liempd, had a very clear idea of what the new outdoor area should look like. To provide inspiration, Charles supplied a complete sketch to illustrate the style he envisioned: natural, whimsical, and fairytale-like.
A moodboard with playground equipment also immediately provided a good impression of the focal point for this new playground: a large combination equipment with a high tower, preferably two slides, a crawl or walkway to another tower, numerous climbing opportunities such as nets and ladders, and a cableway. Even the placement of the equipment and the site layout had already been carefully considered. There needed to be a stream around which the new play equipment would be arranged, transforming the playground into an exploratory adventure village amidst a picturesque green environment.
From site check to landscaping design
With this thorough preparation, our recreation advisor, Remco van de Berg, was well-equipped to tackle the task at hand. Conducting an extensive site check in Schaijk provided additional insights into the underlying wishes. Drawing upon this information, our landscape designers synthesized all elements into an initial design, complete with a sketch of the new playground equipment.
Armed with these sketches, Remco reconvened with Charles and Willem to discuss the revised design and its underlying concept. Following this meeting and some minor adjustments, we were able to finalise the design.
Designing the Adventure Village
From the terrace, an enchanting gateway, flanked by low flowering plants, leads straight to a fairy tale. The organic layout of the landscape contributes to children’s enjoyment of play, and also to contemporary themes such as climate adaptation and biodiversity. With an enchanting play equipment as the icing on the cake, Charlie’s Adventure Village can rightly be called a gem.
Waterstream functions
According to the client’s wish, the heart of Charlie’s Adventure Village had to be formed by extensive water play. Noortje Segeren, the landscape designer who designed the Adventure Village, fulfilled this wish by creating a waterstream that serves multiple purposes.
First, we can say that water at a playground, increases play value. After all, playing with water (and sand) is one of children’s favourite pastimes. In addition, the waterstream also has an aesthetic function; it contributes to the fairytale look of the playground. Next, the waterstream also has a connecting and challenging purpose. By placing several challenging bridge elements across the water, children can cross from one play area to another one on the other side of the water.
Finally, this waterstream plays a vital role in promoting climate adaptation. The water starts flowing at the water pump and, aided by two invisible pumps, it travels downstream to a lava basin containing water-purifying plants. Then, when filtered, the water is reabsorbed by the soil.
Energizers structure seekers builders and observers
In the end, we created a cohesive play area that honoured all client preferences. During the design process, we incorporated our vision of the four types of play. Additionally, we considered a logical layout based on age and play requirements. Thus, each play type has its own safe place to play, while inviting them to step out of their comfort zone and explore other forms of play. We then added different play elements to better distribute play values across the site. As a result, the entire outdoor space is optimally utilised, ensuring that children naturally engage with the entire playground.
Slope with play elements
Along the outer edge of the playground, we chose to create a long hill instead of a hedge. This hill creates variation in the landscape and serves as a natural separation from the road that runs along the back of the playground. By incorporating various play elements in the hill, we also made the most of the freed-up space on the extended slope.
Play area for toddlers
Between the terrace and the waterstream, we have created a special play area for the youngest visitors. With a sand table, an excavator and a seat, they can have a great time, while parents can keep a close eye on them from the nearby terrace. On the opposite side of the water, a large play equipment called ‘De Droomhut’ which translates to ‘the Dream Cabin’ has been installed, along with a fantastic cable car. Here, older children are challenged to go exploring.
A unique custom-made playground equipment
Such a substantial order ignites the passion of our product designers. After all, such equipment isn’t part of our standard playground collection. Fortunately, we have a department dedicated to designing such unique pieces. They began by conceptualizing the basic idea: a towering structure with two small houses nestled against it, linked by a mezzanine. Utilizing ladders, climbing nets, and a climbing rope, children can ascend the playhouse and exit via the slide or slide bar. Inside, there’s no shortage of entertainment for children. In addition to the funhouse’s laughing mirror, kids can gaze at the stars from a suspended net. We finally christened this wonderful combination set, brimming with the smallest details, ‘De Droomhut’.
Fairy-tale hobbit cottages
We also designed two hobbit houses; “de Toverboom” and ” ‘t IJshutje”. Situated among the roots of a tree trunk, these cottages look fairy-tale-like and invite children to come inside and play quietly there.
Playground equipment from our own factory
After the approval of playground equipment ‘De Droomhut’, our own skilled carpenters fully assembled it at our workshop in Nieuwendijk (NL). The style of the tower for this project differed from the towers we typically produce, requiring intensive cooperation between the designers and our carpenters. Under the watchful eye of our designer, Maaike van der Weide, the beautiful whimsical tree trunk structure, characteristic of the building style of ‘De Droomhut’, was meticulously crafted.
Maaike: ‘It is super fun to see your own designs come to life after spending weeks working on them on a computer screen. Going from your screen to the real thing: a 7-metre tower is suddenly very tall after all, when you’re actually standing in front of it!’
Re-use of planting
While sitting on the restaurants terrace, guests have a wonderful view of the various play areas. When choosing the planting, we took height into account so as to preserve sightlines. We chose to use mainly native planting, which benefits biodiversity. Moreover, we reused part of the plants. We took out the Pinus pines, potted them up and gave them a place of honour in the new design. All this added to the appeal of the playground.
The well-thought-out design of Charlie’s Adventure Village offers a harmonious mix of fun play, natural elements, visual appeal and safety. With an eye for detail, the indoor style of the restaurant has really been carried through to the outdoor space. This ensures that guests at Charlie’s Restaurant can enjoy both delicious meals, and an unforgettable play experience for their children.
Noortje: “In this project, I really enjoyed being able to let my imagination run completely wild. This way, as a landscape designer, I can really contribute to children’s enjoyment of play, while also helping to further promote climate adaptation and biodiversity.”