New images of the centrepiece of Aberdeen’s beachfront regeneration project are revealed today showing the play area in its full glory – with a competition to come to give the area its official name.
The landmark feature was inspired by the city’s rope making heritage and developed through design workshops with local children and young people. The focal point will be the Sky Tower, a 23-metre (the equivalent of eight storeys) structure providing views across the city and the North Sea.
The Beach Park and Events Field are part of the commitment by Aberdeen City Council towards the City Centre and Beachfront Masterplan, which are due to be completed next year.
Aberdeen City Council Co-Leader Councillor Ian Yuill said: “The new play area is part of the Council’s wider investment in the City and its communities.
“This project will be a place where future generations can make memories of the Beachfront whilst it also strengthens our tourism offer.”
Aberdeen City Council Co-Leader Councillor Christian Allard said: “This project will create a major draw for residents and visitors alike.
“A competition to give local primary school pupils a chance to give the structure it’s official name will be announced in the coming weeks.”
The bespoke creation was designed by the same team who created the world’s largest play structure, the Lilidorei Play Village at Alnwick Garden in Northumberland.
It mimics the intertwined shapes of rope and includes a rope matrix which allows youngsters to scale up into part of the structures.
The structures have four distinct areas – The Village, The Woodlands, The Sky Tower and The Glens, which offer a multitude of inclusive play features in a safe yet challenging environment.
The first part of the play area is The Village which is aimed at two-five-year-olds with several different shop fronts. There is a ship to captain and a bridge to cross the street, while doors lead to secret passages and other areas.
The Woodlands offers the opportunity to explore trees with hidden routes through the forest and rope tunnels and winding stairs allowing the chance to reach the treetops. A fireman’s pole lets children slide back down to ground level.
The iconic Sky Tower takes users on a thrilling journey into space, starting from the woodland floor and moving up through the different levels such as ‘Under the Skies’, ‘In the Clouds’, and ‘Outer Space’ before arriving at the viewing platform, which is enclosed by a steel mesh.
The viewing platform will give clear views from 23m above the ground and there are amazing steel tube slides for the daring on several levels.
The final section is The Glens, inspired by the Aberdeenshire wildlife and countryside and aimed at older children who enjoy the thrill of height and are not afraid of challenges.
It includes the rope matrix with wooden footholds to climb up through an opening in the floor into the mountains and through hilly formations to a giant net to climb up leading to a mesh tunnel with rope ladders and a slide.
The steel-clad structures are being manufactured in Scotland and will be assembled on site later this year. The foundations have already been laid as part of the on-going works.
A competition to give local primary school pupils a chance to give the structure it’s official name will be announced in the coming weeks.
While the play area will be at the heart of the beach park, there will be 40 other pieces of play equipment for all ages to enjoy.
- The new skate landscape area has several exciting features and is already well developed. It is being laid out by skate experts Betongpark.
- In addition, the Beach Park will have a gateway building and plaza, a hub building and plaza, a shelter canopy, a sand and water area, a dunes area, and a sports zone. All the facilities in the play park will be accessible and free to use.
- The adjoining Events Field has an amphitheatre area designed to host festivals, concerts and other gatherings.
The works are the biggest redevelopment of the beachfront area for 35 years. The first part of the scheme has already opened with the new-look Broadhill upgraded and offering excellent viewpoints across the city and North Sea.