Fringford Parish Council contacted the Devon-based playground specialist after a routine inspection report flagged compliance and safety issues with the site's existing surface.

On attending the site, Rhino Play found that the grass mats had sunk beneath the soil, tree canopies overhead had prevented grass from growing, and the ground had become uneven, creating trip hazards and exposing sections of concrete foundation beneath the play equipment.

The council's brief was for a recycled surface that was low maintenance and free-draining. Rhino Play identified bonded rubber mulch as the best match, laying it over the existing grass mats with additional stone sub-base used to level out the site's steeper slopes.
Installed in green to suit the rural setting, the new surface fully conforms to current standards for fall heights and safety areas. It also significantly reduces the ongoing maintenance the site previously needed, without detracting from the natural look of the space.

The installation team completed the work during a summer heatwave, working efficiently and professionally throughout. As a result, the play area was back open within a week, giving Fringford's children an all-weather space to use again. The parish council reported being extremely happy with the finished installation, the installation team, and everyone involved in the project.

Stuart Hunt, Head of Sales at Rhino Play, said:

"Fringford is a great example of how quickly a play area's safety concerns can be turned around with the right surface. Sunken mats, shaded ground and exposed foundations are all issues we see regularly, and while they might seem minor at first glance, they're exactly the kind of thing that can lead to a serious injury if left unaddressed. Safety surfacing isn't something a council can afford to cut corners on; it's there to protect children the moment something goes wrong, not just to make a play area look tidy.

"Bonded rubber mulch gave the council a solution that met every safety requirement while keeping the natural feel of the setting intact, and it meant we didn't have to compromise on either. We were really pleased to help Fringford Parish Council get their play area back open for the community within a week, right in the middle of a heatwave, and to know local children now have a safe, all-weather space to enjoy again."

About Rhino Play
Rhino Play designs and installs playgrounds, outdoor learning environments, trim trails, fitness equipment, surfacing, seating areas and bespoke outdoor play equipment for schools, parish and local councils, and community and commercial organisations. The company now covers locations well beyond the South West - from the established Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire areas, through to Hampshire, Berkshire and Gloucestershire, and as far as South Wales. Rhino Play offers free, no-obligation site visits across these areas, with installation teams delivering projects for public, educational and commercial play spaces throughout the region.