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Talbot Place Natural Playground

Project Overview

The site at Talbot Place forms part of Blackheath Common, where epd was commissioned to deliver an innovative natural play area design for Lewisham Council and local community groups. epd was commissioned to design and project manage a scheme which caused no long lasting damage to the common land on which it was proposed.

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3D birds-eye masterplan rendering of Talbot Place natural playground design showing layout features and planting plan
  1. Informal playground and seating area
  2. Mirror Play
  3. Planting, including silver birch and gorse
  4. Primary, fully accessible route
  5. Play logs with climbing branches
  6. Indented swale/dry river bed
  7. Mounding
  8. Low timber deck bridge
  9. Area for willow tunnel, sculpture or den
  10. Musical play
  11. Informal mown route through meadow grass

The community group was involved at all stages of the project. This scheme involved working closely with a local community group and helping them secure additional funding to enhance the scheme. The design was enhanced with the use of local materials and the recycling of materials where possible. Timber was sourced from Greenwich Park to act as natural play equipment.

epd project managed all aspects of the project on behalf of the client including administering the contract onsite and managing all the project finances.

“We are keen to use materials for this that are as local as possible. The Heath was gravel pits and we’d like to use Blackheath gravel and pebbles.” Friend of Talbot Place.

The project has been constructed and is currently in the 12 month defect period.

Talbot Place natural playground design with families using stone gabion benches and accessible pathways
Talbot Place natural play area design section drawing illustrating canopy height, play structures, and site levels

Landscape Transition Over Time

Talbot Place natural playground site before development in 2014 showing vacant grass lawn adjacent to Blackheath Common
Blackheath common playground post-construction showing completed gravel plaza, timber gabion benches, and perimeter boundary wall
Talbot Place natural playground design three years post-completion featuring matured planting, gabion benches, and timber decking
Talbot Place natural playground design featuring accessible gravel pathway and log play features in Lewisham
Natural play area design featuring interactive musical play panel and sensory installations at Talbot Place
Blackheath common playground featuring dry river bed swale, gabion bench, and wildflower grass mounding
Natural play area design featuring interactive distortion mirror play feature against brick wall at Talbot Place
Natural play area design featuring community seating, shaded plaza, and mature trees at Talbot Place
Blackheath Common playground design featuring climbing play logs and timber stepping posts by epd
Talbot Place natural play area design featuring boulder seating, timber deck bridge, and informal meadow planting