Ark Play Area
Cockington's Ark Play Area is open all year round and can be found at the rear of the Court, behind the car park.
The Ark is specifically designed to be used by all children, disabled and able-bodied. The play area was a joint effort between Friends of Special Needs Children (FOSNeC) and Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust.
The play equipment includes:
- Wheelchair seesaw - designed so that wheelchair users can get a similar effect to that of a See-saw. The see-saw motion is generated by driving to and fro, or by corresponding body movement while walking. The mutual action, the stimulation of playing together and the requirement for co-operation are the valuable elements of this equipment.
- Turning Stone - a huge turning stone that spins slowly on a steel rod axis. This tactile equipment fascinates children young and old who are able to turn several tonnes of stone with their own strength (apparently you can turn it with your little finger!)
- Spinning Plate - this rotating plate is profiled to allow wheelchair access but is popular with many able-bodied children too.
- Basket Swing - the swing has proved to be very popular with disabled and able-bodied children alike. It is suitable for one child to use or several at once.
- The Water Fountain - a water play feature where the water jet intensity depends on the activity of the participants. ‘Geysers’ with a height of up to 8m can be produced by two children energetically see-sawing the pump. The see-saw pump can be operated by hand or by standing on it - the water then flows through a series of channels and a water wheel before draining away.
- Slide & Tower Structure – a wide slide, which will allow two children or a carer and child to slide together. There is also a bench by the slide to assist wheelchair users in accessing the slide with the maximum of independence.
- Sound Boxes - solar powered, interactive sound boxes that detect movement and play bird noises.
Three items of sensory equipment - a turning circle that shows sand flow; an outdoor kaleidoscope; and an integrated xylophone. These are included in the hexagonal tower structure, attached to the slide by a ramp.
