ALL ABOARD

Using historical references as creative inspiration, this playspace is a custom-designed masterpiece with a well-loved theme.

Paying homage to history through custom play, The Log Cabin playspace located at the base of the Blue Mountains in Penrith is a custom play area designed and manufactured by play specialist KOMPAN.

Originally opened in 1826 as The Emu Ford Hotel, The Log Cabin is an integral part of Penrith’s history. Having gone through a number of hospitality incarnations, it is currently serving the community as a chic gastropub that welcomes patrons new and old. Set along the banks of the Nepean River, this local gathering space has a long history and is well loved by the city’s inhabitants.

Wanting to ensure their newest hotel had plenty to offers its visitors, the owners requested a playspace that referenced the local area, specifically the heritage Emu Plains Underbridge – which has been key to Penrith’s railway operations since 1907 — while also tying into the pub’s branding.

Requiring a compact play site that would complement the modern architectural refurbishment, the resulting zone caters to children of all ages and abilities, while its sophistication and high quality even encourages parents and caregivers to linger and play with their little ones before sitting down to dine.

An instant landmark, the Loggy Train stands at the centre of the playscape, immersing children in their own creative locomotive story as they witness the trains passing nearby. A custom KOMPAN Robinia timber design, the train structure is great for older children, offering them climbing, sliding, balancing, gliding and thematic play in the conductor’s cabin.

The Track Ride Tower installed is a thrill for school-aged children, providing a rush of momentum while simultaneously building hand-eye coordination and muscle control. For young children and toddlers, the Theatre & Music Cottage uses sensory sound elements to encourage exploration and role play, while the adorable Pony Springer and Flower Swing promote balance and spatial awareness.

Softfall rubber surfacing coats a mound that boasts an embankment slide and creates a flow within the space, along with subtle zoning, ensuring kids of all ages can play safely together.

Fully fenced, the playspace is surrounded by outdoor dining facilities, allowing parents and carers to easily supervise their kiddos while they enjoy the venue.

A WOW moment from any angle, the sculptural and imaginative scope of this playground draws children in, commanding their attention as they explore a myriad of play possibilities. A mixture of materials, from traditional timber to rope elements, guarantees a sensory experience for players and plenty of different ways to play for hours on end. Splashes of soft yet engaging colours complement the timber material palette, giving the “train park” an instantly recognisable and memorable identity that ensures players want to come back time and time again.

“So far, the response to the playground opening has been fabulous. Both the parents and the kids are really enjoying the results of this project. To know that kids can be entertained on this best-in-class playground while their families can catch up in the beer garden by the river, means that young and old can both enjoy this renewed venue for many years to come,” notes Peter Stait of FDC Construction and Fitout.

PROJECT PARTICULARS

Client Laundy Hotels, FDC Construction & Fitout

Location Penrith, New South Wales

Installation Star Structures

Rubber Surfacing TPV Rubber Wetpour

Design KOMPAN/Play by Design

Play Equipment Design & Manufacturing KOMPAN Australia

Photography Bose Creative