Using play to increase family use of rural public spaces

a nature exploration play space with magnifying stump and collection table

Reimagining play across three landscapes

Wicklow County Council, Ireland, approached TouchWood with an ambitious vision to transform three very different woodland and community trails: Kilmagig, Vartry and Glenmalure. Each site had its own identity, audience and natural character, which shaped how we approached the designs to steer the movement of families through the respective landscapes.

a nature exploration play space with magnifying stump and collection table
a nature exploration play space with magnifying stump and collection table

Shaping Glenmalure for older children

The Glenmalure site sits beside a busy sports hub with an accessible timber boardwalk that loops around the site, providing access for buggies and wheelchairs. We created a natural gathering zone beneath a shelter, matched with a larger tower cluster climbing structure that offered more challenge. Its position beside the football pitch means that it is well used by local families and older children.

Creating a woodland classroom at Kilmagig

Kilmagig forms part of the Red Kite Walk and includes an outdoor classroom used by the local community and the nearby primary school. The brief was to create a welcoming gathering space with rustic wild play elements alongside that could be used alongside the new outdoor classroom.

We formed the classroom in a quiet woodland pocket and added a giant storytelling chair and log hops. The finished space invites imaginative play and encourages children to bring natural materials from the surrounding forest to be investigated.

Bringing Vartry forest to life

Vartry is a popular collection of five woodland walking trails, established in 2005 and visited by more than 22,000 people each year. The council wanted to enhance the experience by introducing five themed pockets of play along the trails to encourage families to explore deeper into the forest.

We delivered:

  • A young children’s zone with balancing features and an imagination play tower with a periscope and talking tubes to encourage social and inclusive play.
  • A physical challenge trail combining balance beams, log hops and a giant timber tangle that creates the feeling of climbing through the forest canopy.
  • A landmark centrepiece, the Vartry Giant, offers two climbing routes with different levels of challenge, along with a zig zag balancing snake.
  • A musical and sensory space with four accessible instruments designed to support children with ASD needs and wider sensory preferences.
  • A science trail featuring a low-height investigation table, a magnifying post and sky seats for moments of calm, with climbing trees nearby for those seeking more physical challenge.

Large timber hero structure in Wicklow forest

Building inclusivity into every space

Inclusive design shaped decisions across all three sites.
The imagination tower can be used from both the ground and upper levels and the periscope enables children to experience the sensation of being high up even if they cannot climb. Talking tubes support communication between children at different heights. All musical instruments are fully accessible, and the science trail’s investigation table is designed at a wheelchair friendly height.

Lasting impact

The three Wicklow trails now offer a connected network of natural play that invites families into the forest, supports imaginative and physical development and caters to a wide range of ages and abilities. The council was pleased with both the sensitivity of the designs and the successful delivery across challenging woodland environments.

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We’re always happy to answer any questions you may have about how we work, or offer advice on how best to successfully deliver your project.