The Ground
A soggy corner of the school playing field at Blockhouse Bay Intermediate had potential, and the school knew it. When the Playground Creations team was given the task of turning the soggy and muddy space into an attractive, meaningful, and creative playground, we couldn’t resist drawing inspiration from the school’s coastal location as well as its values and colours.

The Creation
Blockhouse Bay Intermediate Principal Michael Malins not only issued Playground Creations with the task of creating a new facility; he invited the students to get involved as well. They imagined a playground much like a fortress (reflecting the school’s mantra “Stand Tall”), that they could use for PE classes as well as during morning tea and lunch breaks.

To cater for all aspects of the design, our team included a range of equipment that even Sir Lancelot would have enjoyed. A 1.8m high double rock and scale wall, hand toe wall, slide pole, and a tree climber provide play structure, with supporting equipment such as a pommel crossing, ladder climber, double trapeze traverse, and wobbly log bridge testing balance and coordination of budding young knights!  

The Play
The Intermediate School’s four values – Relationships, Respect, Wellbeing, and Leadership – are reflected in the playground’s design and equipment, which aims to challenge the students, target key muscle groups, and develop cognitive and physical skillsets.

The synthetic surfacing allows all abilities to access the playground and ensures the space is a far cry from its original soggy and poorly drained condition. Gladiator rings, a spider net, turning bars, and a 3m long C challenge complement the climbing apparatus while the fortress-inspired middle roof deck provides cover from the elements.

Another magical play creation can now be enjoyed by the children at Blockhouse Bay Intermediate School.