Page 17 - Landscape-Issue151

PROJECT

An elevated water feature for surface splashing descends into a ‘stream’ for small boat racing

trees providing sections of shade, the site Platinum award and national
plan had to involve lawned areas to facilitate judge’s comments
run-around play activities. The existing Garden Projects & Solutions received a
Cynodon dactylon required modification Platinum award for this project, with national
and enhancement. Project maintenance is judge Dr. Jonathan Foley commenting:
undertaken by the school, with emphasis “The garden is 100% client-orientated and
on sustainability. represents a highly successful collaboration
John Clarke of Tetris Paving was between the school principal, staff and the
contracted for the cycle paths and landscaper who designed and installed the
features, and having previously worked in project. The play garden at the pre-school is
landscaping projects, he was mindful of truly inspirational, offering young children a
irrigation points, pipes and the sensitivity safe and engaging environment for tactile,
of plants. Ecology Plastics constructed real-world play.
and installed the recycled plastic garden The opportunity for children to
elements. experience different elements is exceptional,
and the extension of existing play areas,
Impact on children’s behaviour such as the go-kart track with cobbled
The most profound impact of the revised roads, is particularly impressive. This project
and completed playground has been on successfully incorporates the best of
the children’s behaviour. Where previously outdoor play for children, recognising the
they used to tussle over equipment and importance of the outdoors and its positive
become frustrated at play, there is no psychological impact on them.”
A section of the greenhouse, made of recycled longer evidence of this type of behaviour as
plastic, with thermometer and wind vane to teach they are significantly more stimulated and Information and photos supplied by Munro
children about weather conditions affecting involved in the play area. Papanicolaou of Garden Projects & solutions
people, animals, insects and plants. These
projects bring environmental education alive.

The playground has been designed as a learning world linked to the environment, where young children are taught about the connection
between plants, water, soil, the weather and traditional play activities. n

Check us out www.salandscape.co.za Landscape SA • Issue 151 2025 15