Greenspan Projects Ltd., a creative design and build specialist, has worked with Birdworld in Surrey, UK, to help the popular wildlife attraction evolve its visitor offer.
Like many outdoor leisure venues, Birdworld needed to find a way to advance its offering and support long-term sustainability while addressing seasonal limitations and accessibility barriers. As the attraction is predominantly outdoors, the solution here needed to elevate the visitor experience without compromising the natural woodland habitat.
Taking inspiration from the natural environment and the Birdworld USP, Greenspan created an outdoor play area with a unique concept that explores how birds navigate their environment and fly from tree to tree, featuring a Treetop Net Course, Outdoor Play and Water Play.
Accessible adventure
The dual-level play area has been designed to appeal to families in all seasons, with inclusive access for visitors of all abilities, and to respect the surrounding environment.
The Treetop Adventure level offers a series of interconnected bird nest towers. These are linked by bridges and spiral clamber nets, which enable children to ‘fly’ like birds between the trees.
The Forest Floor level has a parallel ground-level pathway that ensures younger children and those with mobility challenges can enjoy the same story. Here, ‘Spriglet Houses’ offer different interactive experiences, including musical instruments, ball runs, and spyglasses.
Key features include:
- Accessibility-first approach. The bespoke play area construction prioritised inclusive design, with wheelchair-accessible pathways, to ensure that every child, regardless of age or ability, can take part in the woodland adventure experience.
- Environmental integration. The structure has been designed to enhance rather than disrupt the natural environment, preserving existing mature trees and wildlife habitats. The wooden nest-inspired architecture integrates seamlessly with the woodland setting.
- Water play integration. Greenspan integrated water features that provide refreshing play opportunities during warmer months, and complement the woodland theme.
- Safety and compliance. All structures meet stringent safety standards for children’s play equipment, guaranteeing peace of mind for venue operators and visitors.
The play area is constructed primarily from robinia wood, an extremely hard, long-lasting, rot-resistant timber. Robinia is the most durable wood found in Europe, extremely resistant to dynamic stress and highly load resistant, with excellent bending strength. This material selection aligned perfectly with Birdworld’s environmental values, and ensured both minimal maintenance requirements and optimum safety compliance.
Sustainable business model
By developing a compelling attraction that welcomes families throughout extended seasons, this outdoor play area design has positioned Birdworld as a more sustainable business model.
The project marks the first stage of Birdworld’s multi-million-pound transformation, and Greenspan is now progressing to construct their 17,000 square foot indoor Play Barn. This is set to become the biggest indoor play facility in the region.
A spokesperson from Greenspan says: “The success of this custom play area construction demonstrates how thoughtful design can solve complex business challenges whilst creating magical experiences that celebrate nature, imagination, and inclusive play.”
Recently, Greenspan celebrated the opening of Albatross Entertainment’s new venue in New Jersey, US. The 55,000 square foot attraction, which has been dubbed the ‘world’s largest indoor mini golf and luxury bowling destination’, features an 18-hole indoor tech-enhanced mini golf experience, 24 high-end bowling lanes, and an extensive cocktail bar.
