Pedare College Mega Sandpit

Excitement grows for summer days in the mega-sandpit in the heart of the Pedare Junior School as the life-sized Diprotodon dinosaur fossil has been installed. The Diprotodon, otherwise known as the giant wombat, is hidden under the sand waiting for children to discover. The new play space is a showcase of nature play, as children will be able to engineer their own watercourse on the rockery island water table and through the sand.

Rock boulders form learning circles around the sandpit and are surrounded by a soft green planting pallet, full of texture to support the tactile learning opportunities within this space. Pathways around the sandpit ensure that children with limited mobility can join the water and nature play. The sandpit is fully shaded by a canopy structure and trees to provide extra comfort to the students while they are enjoying the water and the sand.

Swanbury Penglase engaged deeply with staff and students to develop the scheme, including workshopping and student interviews and studying national precedents.

The soft and hard landscaping was designed and constructed in close consultation with school grounds staff, to ensure the sustainability and ongoing low maintenance of the installations. This project sets the scene for future additions to the constructed landscape as part of the college campus redevelopment as the opportunity arises.