BCE Northern Limited were appointed as Principal Contractor by Sunderland City Council on behalf of Siglion Developments for the Phase 3 Development and Play Park Construction at Seaburn, Sunderland.

The Seaburn Play Park project, which forms part of a significant investment in the area, will transform the leisure offer for local residents and visitors by creating an active destination for all ages.

The park’s design utilised high quality materials and vibrant colours with the aim of supporting children’s physical, social and cognitive development through multiple forms of play.

The park consists of 0.65ha and contains a bridge, public walkways, landscaping and several play areas, along with the redevelopment of the existing children’s play area in the north of the site as grassed open space. It features digital play, sand and sensory zones, wheelchair-friendly picnic tables and accessibility and panoramic views.

The play equipment is sited within landscape features such as play mounds, sand pits, and planted areas, as well as traditional play features such as swings, slides, and roundabouts.

The park also features bespoke pieces of equipment such as tall towers, climbing walls, and bridges, to create a visually stimulating and exciting space. The equipment has been built using natural materials, including sustainably sourced timber and hardwood from a reclamation yard.

The play park is set in a landscaped area with more than 30 new trees, wildflower zones and a re-profiled watercourse, with the aim of using the natural setting to promote biodiversity and help children connect with nature. The setting of the play park and the improvements that have been made really add to the green space offering nearby and create an enjoyable green space environment for the local community and beyond.

Incorporating a diverse range of accessible and inclusive play equipment, the park has also been designed to ensure children of all abilities can participate in and enjoy its apparatus.

The scope of works BCE Northern undertook included:-

• · extensive earthworks and remodelling
• · construction of reinforced concrete foundations
• · precast concrete and feature wall construction
• · installation of pedestrian footbridges
• · installation of bespoke pieces of play equipment including climbing walls, traditional play features and play mounds
• · hard landscaping including safety surfacing
• · fencing
• · soft landscaping including tree and shrub planting