First look at plans for playpark inspired by Aberdeen's rope-making heritage

New images have been released of a playpark set to be built at Aberdeen’s beachfront as part of a regeneration project.

The towering structure, which was developed through design workshops with local children and young people, will feature four distinct areas offering a variety of inclusive play areas for different age groups.

The focal point is the Sky Tower, standing at 23m, which will take children on a journey through space, starting from the woodland floor and moving up through different levels such as Under the Skies, In the Clouds and Outer Space.

The viewing platform, enclosed by steel mesh, opens out to multiple daring steel slides.

The Village is aimed at younger children aged two to five, which will feature different shop fronts, a ship, and a bridge structure, while doors will open up secret passageways.

Meanwhile The Woodlands section offers children the chance to explore trees, with hidden routes throughout the forest and rope tunnels and winding stairs reaching the treetops. A fireman’s pole will let children slide back down to ground level.

The final section is The Glens, inspired by the Aberdeenshire wildlife and countryside and aimed at older children who enjoy the thrill of height and are not afraid of challenges.

It includes the rope matrix with wooden footholds to climb up through an opening in the floor into the mountains and through hilly formations to a giant net to climb up leading to a mesh tunnel with rope ladders and a slide.

The bespoke creation was designed by the same team that created the world’s largest play structure, the Lilidorei Play Village at Alnwick Garden in Northumberland.

It mimics the intertwined shapes of rope and includes a rope matrix which allows youngsters to scale up into part of the structures.

The Beach Park and Events Field are part of the commitment by Aberdeen City Council towards the City Centre and Beachfront Masterplan, which are due to be completed next year.

Aberdeen Beach playpark Aberdeen City Council

Aberdeen City Council co-leader Ian Yuill said: “The new play area is part of the Council’s wider investment in the City and its communities.

“This project will be a place where future generations can make memories of the Beachfront whilst it also strengthens our tourism offer.”

Co-leader Christian Allard added: “This project will create a major draw for residents and visitors alike.

“A competition to give local primary school pupils a chance to give the structure it’s official name will be announced in the coming weeks.”

The steel-clad structures are being manufactured in Scotland and will be assembled on site later this year. The foundations have already been laid as part of the ongoing works.

New images unveiled of Aberdeen beach playpark Aberdeen City Council

As well as the play area, work is under way to regenerate other parts of the beachfront, including the skate area, which is being laid out by experts Betongpark.

The Beach Park will have a gateway building and plaza, a hub building and plaza, a shelter canopy, a sand and water area, a dunes area, and a sports zone. All the facilities in the play park will be accessible and free to use.

Meanwhile an adjoining Events Field with an amphitheatre area will be designed to host festivals, concerts and other gatherings.

The works are the biggest redevelopment of the beachfront area for 35 years. The first part of the scheme has already opened with the new-look Broadhill upgraded and offering excellent viewpoints across the city and North Sea.