A new natural play area has been built at Aira Force. A small
unused patch of grass next to the Tea room was identified as the perfect spot.
For some time the catering team had witnessed children
climbing (and falling off) the wall that surrounds the Tea room, not only is
this dangerous for the children, but it spoils what is a fantastic view of the
Lake.
The work originally started the week commencing Monday 26th of February. As some of you may remember that was the week the ‘Beast from the East’ arrived.
We managed to get one day of digging in before the snow hit,
and the Tea room turned from this.
Into this.
After the snow had melted and we could get the digger back
on site we carried on clearing the top layer of turf and soil. This provided us
with the basis to start constructing the play area.
The idea was to use local timber that had recently been
felled in the valley, thus saving costs and using a local natural source to
build the play features.
There were plenty of ideas from the rest of the team on what
should be installed; they ranged from a wooden crocodile! To a bird hide made from logs. It was finally decided that some natural balance beams and stepping
stones would be most practical and user friendly.
Once a rough outline of where the obstacles needed to go,
the digging, cutting and chiseling could take place.
Finally a wooden edge was put in to help prevent the gravel
from the path, and the bark from the play area mixing. This was ably put in by
some of the Aira Force volunteers (Roger, Diane and Martin).
Once the edging was in the play bark could be laid and the
grand opening could take place
A special thanks to one of the Rangers daughters in helping
to cut the ribbon.
