Large-scale timber structures
Towers, platforms, climbing structures and connected play environments designed for intensive use.
Councils & public spaces
Play spaces made for communities.
Bespoke natural playgrounds designed for public spaces, intensive use and generations of children.
Got Children First works with councils, local authorities, housing organisations and community partners to create distinctive play environments that combine imaginative play with durability, accessibility and practical long-term use.
Public play has to work harder.
A public playground needs to appeal to children of different ages and abilities while also satisfying the practical requirements of the organisations responsible for it.
Our approach considers the whole environment, not simply the equipment. We think about:
- How children move through the site
- Different ages and styles of play
- Inclusive play opportunities
- Visibility and supervision
- Durability and natural materials
- High levels of use and maintenance
- The character of the surrounding area
The result should feel like somewhere children genuinely want to explore, rather than a collection of equipment placed inside a fenced area.
Our approach
Designed for public life.
High-use environments
Structures designed with repeated, unsupervised public use in mind.
Inclusive play
Opportunities for children with different abilities and styles of play.
Community character
Designs that respond to the landscape, neighbourhood and people using the space.
Durability
Materials and construction methods selected for demanding outdoor environments.
Long-term thinking
Maintenance, inspection and future use considered from the beginning.
Bespoke design
No off-the-shelf catalogue feeling: each site gets its own design.
What we build
What we build for public spaces.
Public play spaces need to offer different ways to play while standing up to high levels of use. We design structures and environments around the site, community and children who will use them.
Inclusive play
Ground-level, sensory and accessible opportunities that allow more children to participate.
Natural play landscapes
Timber, planting, landform and natural elements used to create richer environments.
Social & gathering play
Structures and spaces that encourage children to meet, communicate and invent games together.
How we design
More reasons to stay. More ways to play.
Different ways of playing help a public playground appeal to a wider range of children and ages. We use the 16 Types of Play to test whether a scheme genuinely serves the whole community rather than one confident age group.
- Physical challenge
- Imagination
- Social interaction
- Exploration
- Sensory play
- Creativity
- Risk and challenge
- Quiet or observational play
Safety, durability & practicalities
The practical side, considered early.
Public projects carry responsibilities beyond play value. We work with those requirements from the first conversation.
- 01High levels of unsupervised, year-round use
- 02Durability and anti-vandalism detailing
- 03Accessible routes and inclusive play opportunities
- 04Inspection and routine maintenance planning
- 05Community needs and consultation feedback
- 06Sightlines and natural supervision
- 07Long-term value and phased delivery across budget years
Relevant projects
Public play projects we've delivered.
Completed project
Campsbourne Play Centre
Haringey, London · Local Authority Play Centre
Ground-level play trees, balance logs and carved features creating a natural play trail across a council-run community play space.
Play trees • Balance logs • Carved sculpture
Completed project
Community Adventure Play Area
London · Public Play Space
A robust rope and timber adventure structure for a well-used public site, with high-level crossings and multiple climbing routes for older children.
Rope crossings • Multi-level platforms • Nets
How a project works
How a public play project works.
- 01
Talk
Tell us about the site, the children, the budget and what the space needs to achieve.
- 02
Explore
We visit the site, understand the environment and identify the opportunities.
- 03
Design
We develop a bespoke concept around the children, setting and intended play experiences.
- 04
Build
Our team brings the design to life using carefully selected materials and skilled construction.
- 05
Play
The structure is inspected, handed over and ready for children to make it their own.
FAQ
Questions we're often asked.
Can you work to an existing specification?
Yes. We can price and build to a written specification, or work from a brief and develop the design with you if the scheme is still at an early stage.
How do you handle inspections and safety standards?
Structures are designed with the relevant play standards and surfacing requirements in mind, and handed over with the information your inspection regime needs.
Can a scheme be delivered in phases?
Often, yes. We can design a full vision for the site and build it in stages as budget becomes available.
How disruptive is installation?
We agree site access, fencing and working hours in advance so the surrounding space stays usable wherever possible.
Planning a new public play space?
Whether you have a detailed specification or are still exploring what could work on the site, we would be happy to discuss the possibilities.