Armitage Park in Laurentides has recently undergone an exciting transformation. The park’s redevelopment, undertaken in collaboration with the landscape architecture firm KAP and Atmosphare, has introduced an innovative and inclusive recreational space designed to enhance play, accessibility, and outdoor experiences for the local community.
Armitage Park in Laurentides has recently undergone an exciting transformation. The park’s redevelopment, undertaken in collaboration with the landscape architecture firm KAP and Atmosphare, has introduced an innovative and inclusive recreational space designed to enhance play, accessibility, and outdoor experiences for the local community.
At the heart of the project is Playrite’s Matchwinner Velour, a premium playground surfacing option chosen for its durability, all-weather performance, and vibrant aesthetics. This high-quality, needlepunch synthetic surface is designed to offer superior comfort and longevity, making it ideal for school playgrounds, play areas, and multi-use sports surfaces. Unlike traditional grass or tarmac, Matchwinner Velour, when incorporated in an impact absorbency system, contributes to reducing the risk of injury and ensuring compliance with critical fall height requirements for playground safety surfacing. Beneath the carpet, 2-3 layers of shockpads (underlays) provide the necessary protection when a child falls, ensuring a safe and cushioned play environment.
One of the standout features of Matchwinner Velour is its low-maintenance design, which eliminates the need for regular watering, mowing, or reseeding. This makes it a cost-effective solution for schools and local authorities looking for a long-lasting, safe, and visually appealing playground surface. Its porous construction ensures efficient drainage, preventing waterlogging and enabling year-round play, regardless of weather conditions.
One of the most striking aspects of Armitage Park is its seamless integration with the natural landscape. The installation makes full use of the site’s existing contours, such as a slide built into a mound, blending play elements harmoniously with the environment. The synthetic surface not only enhances the park’s visual appeal with its vibrant colours but also ensures a safe and accessible play area for children of all abilities.
Despite its many benefits, the installation process presented several challenges. Adapting the surface to the park’s undulating terrain required careful planning and execution to maintain both functionality and aesthetics. The collaborative efforts of all stakeholders ensured the surface remained both practical and visually appealing while adhering to strict safety standards.
Beyond its immediate visual impact, the redevelopment of Armitage Park is expected to benefit the wider community by providing a safe, engaging outdoor space for families in the Laurentides region. The addition of an Inclusive Carousel, designed for individuals with reduced mobility, underscores the project’s commitment to accessibility, ensuring that every child can participate in play without barriers.
Since its completion, feedback from the community has been overwhelmingly positive, with residents praising the enhanced play experience and the ability to use the space throughout the year, regardless of weather conditions.
Reflecting on the project, Chris Pickles, Sales Director for Playrite, highlighted how this initiative reinforces Playrite’s dedication to delivering high-performance, safe, and inclusive playground safety surfacing solutions.
Armitage Park now stands as a model for future developments, demonstrating how collaboration and innovative surfacing solutions can create dynamic recreational spaces that benefit local communities.
If you're looking to enhance your school playgrounds or play areas with a high-quality, durable, and safe surface, get in touch with Playrite today to learn more about our innovative solutions!
