DCM Surfaces installs portfolio of synthetic surfacing at Cherry Gardens Primary School in London.
Cherry Gardens was the largest project in a batch of 12 schools that were to be expanded or redeveloped as part of a wider initiative. This was to increase the number of available primary school places for children within the London Borough of Southwark area.
Cherry Gardens is an existing school for children with a range of Special Education Needs (SEN) including visual impairment and multiple learning difficulties. As part of the redevelopment scheme, the outdoor area was divided into three distinct play spaces which could be used by children of different ages and abilities. The design incorporated a range of surfacing products to create multi-sensory environments that would allow pupils to explore and be creative.
Galliford Try were the successful bidders for the contract, and following a rigorous selection process based on quality, cost and Health and Safety, DCM Surfaces were selected to install the synthetic surfacing for each of the three play areas.
DCM were in a unique position to deliver all elements of the synthetic surfacing, including; Self-Binding Gravel, Resin Bound Gravel, Artificial Grass, Wetpour and Rubber Mulch, which all fall into our portfolio. A core requirement of the install, was that each surface would be permeable, allowing water to drain through the surface to ensure that it could be used all year-round.
Wetpour and Rubber Mulch provided a soft, impact absorbing layer, as well as achieving the maximum 2.4m Critical Fall Height that was required around the timber play equipment. Mixed colours of Wetpour were also used to create colourful surfaces and a variety of graphics, including a roadway with markings and intricate patterns around the play equipment area.
In total, DCM covered an area of over 2000sq m with specialist surfacing.
