We often embark upon garden projects that need to take account of the needs of the whole family, especially children. And as well as domestic gardens, we have also designed and built gardens in schools and day nurseries, creating interesting outdoor environments to both entertain and stimulate children.
There are many different and imaginative ways to create a garden that people of all ages can use and enjoy. Ideally, there should be separate areas for children to play and where adults can sit, relax and socialise.
In one Bristol garden, there was already a large pond, but it needed to be made safe, to prevent anyone falling in. To solve this problem, we decided upon a timber deck that was both a seating area and a jetty.
The deck appears to “float” on top of the water, which flows beneath, and a section was made “safe” with the addition of a small picket fence and a gate allowing access to the jetty. In turn, the jetty allowed kids to get close to the pond and explore the wildlife in it with their nets.
In winter, a muddy or wet garden can limit its use, but installing a weather-proof surface is an easy solution – and means children can play outside all year round. Among the options is artificial grass, pictured, which has all the benefits of a natural lawn, but it’s also maintenance free, as it doesn’t need cutting or weeding.
It looks realistic and is a great to play on, too.
Recycled rubber chips are an alternative for a clean and safe play area. The chips come in different colours, so they can appear natural and blend into the garden for a grown-up space, or else choose more vibrant colours for a fun play area.
In some gardens we have also built mounds with turf on top. One mound was built with the surplus soil dug out from a pond. The mound was shaped and a seat cut into it on one side, while meadow flowers were planted into the turf. On a summer’s day, it provides a lovely place to sit and relax, surrounded by flowers and overlooking the pond.
In another garden, we built some mounds with tunnels going through the middle, pictured, inset, so that kids could crawl through, or use the tunnels as fun hiding places. The mounds were covered with turf so little ones could roly-poly down them safely, too.
Sheds and other outdoor structures are other great places to play in, built dens, or indulge in make-believe games. It just takes a bit of imagination.
For garden design ideas, visit secretgarden web.co.uk, or for a free design consultation, email info@ secretgarden web.co.uk.
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