Restoring Safe Play Spaces
Romanby Parish Council Wet Pour Repair
After a busy summer season, Romanby Parish Council noticed signs of wear across several community playgrounds. The wet pour safety surfacing had developed shrinkage gaps and uneven edges due to constant use and temperature fluctuations. To prevent trip hazards and maintain compliance with playground safety standards, the Council partnered with Synergy Outdoors for a full wet pour repair and maintenance service.
The Challenge
Playground surfacing naturally expands and contracts over time. During warmer months, heavy footfall and UV exposure can accelerate this process, causing cracks and surface shrinkage. By autumn, Romanby’s playgrounds showed visible damage that required professional attention to ensure safe, long-lasting play surfaces for local families.
BEFORE
Our Solution
Synergy Outdoors carried out a detailed post-summer playground inspection, identifying all areas of concern. Our specialist team:
Repaired and re-bonded damaged wet pour surfacing using durable, colour-matched materials.
Filled shrinkage gaps and eliminated trip points to restore an even finish.
Extended the life of the existing surface through targeted playground maintenance and quality control.
Each repair was completed efficiently with minimal disruption, ensuring the playgrounds remained open and safe for community use.
Our Results
Improved safety: All trip hazards and gaps removed.
Extended surface lifespan: Repairs protected the base layer from further damage.
Reduced maintenance costs: Preventative work avoided future large-scale resurfacing.
Restored appearance: The playgrounds look bright, smooth, and ready for winter.
AFTER
Beaumont Academy
Working in association with Caledonia Play
Project Details:
Supply & Installation of Wheelchair Swing with Polycarbonate/Timber Shelter and Wet Pour Surfacing.
Working Closely with the client, the design and layout of this project was established with careful thought and due consideration to accessibility and practicality.
Installing the Wheelchair Swing, complete with shelter provided and all weather solution, whilst the rubber wet pour surfacing offered a seamless smooth, yet non slip transition which suited the needs of wheelchair users & pupils at Beaumont Academy, Darlington.
THE PROCESS
Beal Parish Council
Project Details – Refurbished existing metal play equipment and shelter.
After meeting with the client and discussing options of replacing vs refurbishing existing equipment, it was agreed that the overall condition and structural integrity of the equipment was good, albeit, looking old and tired.
This refurbishment transformed & rejuvenated the whole play area to the point that local residents were regularly commenting on the positive impact of the new aesthetic.
This project included:
Rubbed down all metal work, treated and repainted all equipment and shelter.
Raised ground levels underneath Roundabout with top soil, compacted & seeded and laid new stabilising mesh and grassmat surfacing to bring the Roundabout platform levels up to within recommended, compliant standards.
Supplied & fitted new swing chains & shackles.
Treated algae growth on wet pour surfacing.
BEFORE
AFTER
Monk Park Farm
Case Study – Replace or Refurbish
During previous inspections for one of our clients, we had noted quite severe rot in previous inspections and have been monitoring closely with them over the last year or so.
The decay was visibly worsening between periodic inspections.
Ultimately, we presented 2 scenarios to our client:
1) Start considering a replacement Multiplay at an estimated cost of £35k for a like for like unit and prepare budgeting, whilst the existing eventually succumbs to the inevitable.
2) Act now to stop the rot spreading by cutting away the rotten timber, treating the cut timbers and fitting metal legs to keep them elevated from ground level to help protect against future rot.
In an ideal world they would have loved to have replaced the new one with a modern version but the fact was that the budget was not available right now.
They opted for scenario 2 and instructed us to proceed with the work.
The result is that they have bought themselves another 5 years + out of the Multiplay in which to prepare for eventual replacement whilst maintaining a very popular item of equipment. All at a fraction of the cost of a complete renewal.
THE PROCESS
York House Leisure
Project included play area design, supply of new play equipment and surfacing, removal of existing equipment, refurbishing & relocating some existing equipment, Installation including laying of tarmac pad.
The owners of York House Leisure Park contacted Synergy Outdoors as they wanted to revive a very old and tired looking play area that had fallen into disrepair.
They wanted to keep the site footprint the same and retain the natural aesthetic of a woodchip surface.
After discussing various play equipment options and proposing various makes of Playground equipment, we were able to refine a design by introducing new, quality and compliant products whilst retaining certain elements through refurbishment and relocation.
The design included mainly timber equipment to compliment the sites’ natural surroundings and all support post were fitted with galvanised metal legs to limit the affects of ground moisture to the timber.
The end result was an exciting, accessible and inclusive play area, appropriate for all ages and abilities which will service the needs of the patrons of the leisure park for years to come.
Equipment included Toddlers Swings, Junior Swings, Basket Swing, Climbing Frame, Rope Swing, Somersault Bars, Adventure Trail, Rotating SeeSaw, Talk Tubes and Basketball Post including tarmac area.
Surfacing – Playgrade Woodchip