5 Ideas How to Use Play Space Slopes to Your Advantage

Playgrounds on slopes

Although site slopes can pose design challenges, they also offer incredible opportunities to elevate traditional play spaces. In recent years, trends have shifted; we are no longer just creating play equipment, but rather designing play spaces with a growing demand for more sophisticated design.

Simply placing a standard playground package in an empty field is no longer sufficient. Gradients, mounds, or terracing should be embraced, not avoided, to create visually appealing play spaces, encourage imaginative play, and provide a sense of adventure.

The following five ideas will inspire the integration of site gradients into the playspace design.

Slides

Slides are always a popular choice and essential in any playground. They are even better when seamlessly integrated with the surrounding landscape. Longer and more engaging slides can be incorporated into slopes without significantly increasing the fall height. There are numerous variations available, including both closed tube types and open flat-bed constructions.

Although stainless steel slides tend to be more costly, they offer excellent vandal resistance along with the sleek elegance of the material.

On the other hand, the most prevalent type of mound slide is the roto-moulded plastic slide. Its cost-effectiveness and the flexibility of its modular sections allow for the creation of a limitless variety of slide designs.

Bridges/Walkways

Elevated bridges and walkways offer excellent access for individuals of all abilities, accommodating children with very limited mobility (including those using wheelchairs) as well as those with typical mobility.

In addition to their standard function of connecting spaces, bridges can significantly enhance architectural and aesthetic qualities that are otherwise unattainable. For a more daring design, wire rope bridges can connect a mound to a formal playground structure at a lower level.

Naturally, alternative transition elements must also be available to ensure access for all abilities.

The Rolling Knoll

This simple form of play, which doesn’t require formal structures, seems to be something that kids adore! If space permits, a large, grassy rolling hill can be an economical way to keep children entertained, especially if excess soil from a site excavation is available.

The image below depicts a specially constructed mound at Royal Park Nature Playground next to the Melbourne Royal Children’s Hospital – offering a fantastic view of the city, improved aesthetics, and perfect for rolling down!

Landscape architects have long acknowledged the advantages of incorporating variations in levels, textures, and structures into play environments to foster a sense of adventure and an ‘invitation for discovery.’

Wall Climbs

Children love to climb! Council and school maintenance officers are regularly confronted with the issue of erosion on mounds in high-activity areas, such as playgrounds. The combination of children running up and down an incline and wet weather quickly results in a slippery, muddy, eroded landscape.

Often designers overcome this problem by installing rubber surfacing on the embankment and fitting hand holds and abseiling ropes. Not only does this provide a sustainable solution, but it also adds a unique play aspect to the play space.

Forts or Play Unit on the Hill

Setting up a play structure like a fort-style design on a hill or slope can significantly boost the visual prominence and impact of the play area, without the expense of a tall tower play unit. When designed thoughtfully, it can also address the fall height concerns often found in taller structures. This concept serves as a fantastic centrepiece for a play area and can offer visual prominence if that is the designer’s goal.

How often do we hear children exclaiming, ‘I’m the king of the castle’? While offering the usual and essential physical challenges, this idea also expands opportunities for imaginative play, which is something kids truly enjoy!

Of course, play opportunities incorporating slopes, terraces and banks are endless!

adventure+ has been designing, manufacturing and installing unique playground equipment for over 40 years.  We are available to provide specialised design, playground advice and industry insights.