GL Jones Playgrounds Company Profile
GL Jones Playgrounds was founded in 1978 and specialises in the design, manufacture and installation of innovative, durable and safe playground equipment. The company is a market leader and has won many awards for excellence and technical innovation, including the Independent Living Design award for the AbilityWhirl which enables wheelchair users to play alongside able-bodied children in non-supervised, open spaces.
The product range can be adapted to meet the individual requirements of clients and the experience and creativity of the design department ensures that the ideal solution will be met for any situation. The main consideration with the equipment is the user; the ages of the children and abilities are taken into account, so that they can enjoy the features of the playground in complete safety.
Services
The skilled design team develop and manufacture the products using the latest CAD system and high quality materials. Standard and bespoke products are created and adapted as required. The units can be professionally installed on site by the in-house team of fitters. The designers believe that every playground should be appealing, challenging and inspiring for anyone who uses it and work closely with the manufacturing team to ensure that clients get the best playground equipment. The company can carry out inspections on the play equipment to keep them in perfect working order. All equipment is installed to meet the European Safety Standard for Playground Equipment BS EN1176.
Playground Equipment
Playgrounds are designed to be fun and safe for children, regardless of their age and ability. Playground areas give children a feeling of freedom and encourage inclusive play and socialisation. GL Jones prides itself on its flagship AbilityRange which has been developed for less able-bodied children. The range includes:
Inclusive Play
Inclusive play equipment enables able and less-able bodied children to enjoy the fun of a playground. The equipment has been carefully designed, with safety as the key priority. The range includes:
- High birds nest swings, wheelchair swings and traditional two, three and four-seat swings.
- The AbilitySwing wheelchair cradle which is incorporated into several of the swing frame combinations and can be accompanied with an enclosure.
- Integrated wide slides and wide deck slides.
- Sit-on spring seats in various character options.
- AbilityDisk, AbilityWhirl and Ability SpaceWhirl systems enable easy wheelchair access and are a wonderful addition to any playground and are suitable for children with a wide range of disabilities.
- The Exhall Unit is a combination of two decks with an exciting steel tunnel and a vast array of play panels and a chill-out area. The unit is part of the AbilityRange and can be adapted for integrated play.
- The Warwick and Cotgrave units combine a wide range of slides, climbing areas, ladders, play panels, decks and tunnels for inclusive play.
- Standing panels are an interesting focal point for children and come in a variety of design options such as abacus, cascade shaker, glockenspiel, music panel, matching pairs and much more.
- Wheelchair friendly picnic tables made from steel and hardwood.
- Senior units are challenging and interesting modular units which can be adapted to meet specific requirements for 3-14 years age ranges. The units generally feature climbing ropes and walls, slides, ladders, bridges, fireman's pole and much more.
- The modular unit range encompasses a huge range of interesting and challenging play equipment for children of all ages and abilities. The units are available in various size options and incorporate a wide variety of equipment such as ladders, arch bridges, fireman's poles, play panels, slides, monkey crossings, underdeck seating and much more.
Climbing Walls
The Traverse climbing wall is suitable for schools and public play areas and provides a physical challenge for children, keeping them entertained and in shape. The wall is typically installed in a zig-zag pattern, but can be modified to suit different challenges.
Shelters
The shelters are designed to appeal to all ages and abilities and will provide a safe and covered area. The modular design of the shelter enables up to five units to be incorporated and they are manufactured from hot dip galvanised steel and finished in any colour required.
Other Products
The play equipment range encompasses a huge range of products to suit all ages and abilities. The product categories include swings, slides, rockers, springers, roundabouts, net spinners, climbing walls, football goals, basketball nets, seats and benches, kissing gates and much more.
Safety Surfaces
Not only is the equipment installed into a playground important, but also the surface beneath them. Children can be injured if a correct surface is not selected and GL Jones offers a range of surface solutions. Options include:
- Rubber Tiles: Rubber tiles provide a surface which is similar to wet pour and are laid onto a concrete surface. The tiles come in a range of thicknesses, dependent upon the Critical Fall Height required.
- Rubber EPDM Wet-Pour: Wet-pour safety surface is made of polyurethane and rubber composite formed on-site by chemical mixing, wet pouring, levelling, screeding and rolling. Wet-pour is ideal for surfaces of any size or shape, including awkward and difficult spaces. Wet-pour is available in various colour options and can be used to create long-lasting and aesthetically pleasing surfaces.
- Grass Mats: Grass mats are made from recycled rubber and provide an excellent safety surface on grass. The grass grows through the mats and leaves the area looking completely natural.
- Bark: Play bark is light, easy to handle and natural and will help protect children if they fall from height onto the surface. The bark conforms to BS EN177:1988 for impact absorbing playground surfaces and BS4790 for resistance to ignition.
GL Jones Playgrounds prides itself on offering a comprehensive selection of standard and bespoke equipment to suit all requirements. This family-led business has built up a highly respected reputation and has carried out installations throughout the UK in schools, hospitals, parks and many more. The friendly and dedicated team welcomes enquiries and will endeavour to find an appropriate solution to any playground requirement.