Gloucester Gate Playground

Nature-inspired fun for all ages

Location: London, England
Client: The Royal Parks
Services: Landscape architecture
Ecological enhancement & ECoW
Awards: Camden Design Awards 2022, Small Projects Winner
Landscape Institute Awards 2021, Excellence in Public Health and Wellbeing, Highly Commended
BALI National Landscape Awards 2021, Community and Schools Development Winner

Reimagining play for all

LUC collaborated with The Royal Parks to breathe new life into Gloucester Gate Playground in Regent's Park, London.

The vision? An innovative playscape that pushes the boundaries of play for all ages and abilities and provides high play value.

This project wasn't just about swings and slides; it aimed to create a space that sparks creativity, imagination, and social interaction for every child inspired by its natural surroundings.

A map of a park showing various designated areas including sports areas, open grass, a children's play area named "The Glades," woodland buffer zones, pedestrian footpaths, and an outer circle with avenue tree planting. There is a text box in the top left corner titled "Zoning Approach - Levels of Control - Tight to Loose" with designations for "Whela, Tight, Ordered" and "Unraveling, Lessening, Fragmented, Loose, Unbound."

Inclusive playground design concept | Children's play equipment. A vibrant illustration showcasing a planned playground with slides, climbing frames, swings, sandpits, and a water play area, designed to be inclusive for all children

Nurturing nature

The Gloucester Gate Playground is designed with the park's ecology in mind. LUC incorporated features like native hedgerows, rich herbaceous and scrub planting, trees and wildflower meadows to provide vital habitats for local wildlife.

This focus on ecological sensitivity ensures that the playground coexists harmoniously with the surrounding environment.

Playground equipment in a park with grassy field | Children playing. Aerial view of a park playground with slides, swings, climbing frames, and a sandpit, with children playing and enjoying the equipment

Play for everyone

Inclusivity was paramount in the design of Gloucester Gate Playground. The main path features a gentle ramp, making it easily accessible for wheelchairs and those with mobility challenges.

Additionally, the playground boasts a range of equipment specifically designed for wheelchair users, along with multiple climbing routes that cater to various abilities.

This ensures that every child can experience the joy of play.

Willow tunnel garden entrance | Landscape design. A picturesque garden entrance featuring a woven willow tunnel leading to a path and flower beds

Exploring themed zones

LUC divided Gloucester Gate Playground into a series of captivating zones, each named after evocative Old English words for woodland areas. These zones cater to a variety of play styles and ages.

Some offer intimate nooks for quiet exploration and discovery, while others provide expansive spaces perfect for social interaction and imaginative adventures.

This thoughtful zoning ensures there's something for every child to enjoy.

A small garden with a few trees, a patch of green grass, and several rocks of various sizes

Built with nature in mind

The Gloucester Gate Playground goes beyond fun and inclusivity; it's also environmentally responsible.

LUC made a conscious decision to utilise natural materials like sand and water, timber, rope, bark and willow, and throughout the design. The scheme includes sustainable urban drainage features to reduce surface water run-off.

This not only creates a visually appealing space that blends seamlessly with the natural surroundings, but it also showcases a commitment to sustainability – a vital consideration for future generations.