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Since 1984 we have been constructing playground equipment designed by
Ian Laing the owner of Fleetwood,
who also gives some credit to Private Individuals, Heads of
Department at schools, Physiotherapists, Municipalities, Architects and Developers who put forward their ideas of what they would like to see their
children play. (on and at every opportunity he would turn these ideas into
reality.) The end result is that after 20 years of ‘evolution’ Fleetwood
Adventure Playgrounds has an enormous portfolio of plans and layouts to suit
every situation.
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We have a proven track record with Municipalities, Townships, Property
Developers, Shopping Centres, Schools, Childrens Homes and Recreational Centres
within the Gauteng area and most of our business is derived from the most
valuable form of advertising, word of mouth
Our Adventure Playgrounds are built with Tanalith treated timber, which
conforms to S.A.B.S. standards. We have a variety of standard designs to
accommodate different needs and space requirements and we can undertake special
designs to meet client requirements.
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A potential client will call the Fleetwood offices requesting information about our equipment.
An appointment will then be made and he will go out and visit
the client on site.
Every possible aspect is considered because it is
imperative that the client gets a long and useful life out of the equipment. The only limitations are
space, imagination and how
much one wants to spend. After that the Sky is the limit.
Considerations:
- age appropriate
- positioning
- size
- safety
Once the composition of the unit and the positioning
(although these can be changed) have been decided upon Ian will draw up a Quote
and if necessary a drawing to scale which will be labeled and priced. On
signing the quote and payment of a deposit the client is then put on the
schedule.
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Installation is normally four to five weeks
from placement of order but can be longer depending on the workload. Every effort is made to keep to the schedule and
delivery dates promised although occasionally, due to the weather, may not
happen. If possible, about a
week before the delivery date promised, Val or Jill will phone the client to
confirm arrangements.
The Team will arrive on
site in the morning (about 9.00 or 9.30). All the poles, planks and accessories are
unloaded (nothing is pre-constructed). The unit is then pegged out, in terms of
the plans, to the clients satisfaction.
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:-: Estimated
time Taken :-: |
Construction begins.
Depending on the size of the unit, construction can
take anything from one day (Paddington) to five days (Internet Treasure Island
with bells and whistles).
Many years ago a
client truthfully commented, ‘it was like watching a movie in ‘fast
forward”. On completion the
Invoice and a letter describing maintenance are handed to the client.
If, at a
later stage, extensions to the unit are required, it is quite possible to unbolt
a particular feature do the additions or extensions and refasten the feature
originally removed. Equally, if requested, an entire unit, if in good condition,
can be relocated to another site, but for compelling reasons, this is a
relatively expensive operation.
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Generally speaking the safe age for a child to start
using the equipment is about two years although some start younger. The
Greystoke Treehouse for example can be used from the earliest age until in the
teens (a young girl of 11 or 12 was once seen sitting up in a greystoke, at a table doing
her homework.
It is emphasized that the biggest unit with all the
bells and whistles is not really necessary in a home situation because
these can be found at most of the schools or crèches the children go to.. |
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:-: Positioning
and Safety :-: |
The exact positioning of the unit is of vital
importance in terms of safety, ease of use and aesthetics. For example, don’t
place swings in the path the children will use when running from the house to
the playground. Someone will get hurt.
Also, place the unit in such a position
that it can be easily seen from, say, the patio. In this way the Moms and
visiting Moms just need to look up to see that their children are safe. And by
the same token the little ones can easily see that their Moms are quickly
available should the need arise.
Try to avoid placing the unit right in the
middle of the lawn as running space is
equally important. Try to keep the unit on the edge of the garden and as close
to trees and shrubs as possible because they do compliment one another. Plus,
the shade from the tree protects the unit from the sun which is so destructive,
thereby reducing maintenance.
Are there other people
building playgrounds out there? Yes, there are, and
although some of them may have copied every single invention and idea that
Fleetwood has devised over the years, they have been unable to copy Fleetwoods
passion, professionalism and desire to satisfy. If nothing else, they keep
Fleetwood on their toes.
A few of the sites we are proud to have constructed playground equipment for:
- Angela Tate
- Anglo American, Botswana
- Bluebird Nursery School
- Cornwall Hill Preparatory
School
- D.G.S Pretoria
- Dominican Convent, Jeppestown
- Woodhill Preparatory School
- Flora Plant Nursery
- Gauteng Education Department
- John Drummond Landscape Architect
- Jubilee / Sunnyside Parks, Pretoria
- Clamber Club, Dunkeld, Fourways
- Lifestyle Nursery
- Magic Beings
- Monte Casino Bird Park
- Otis
- Plant Park
- The Potting Shed
- Tshwane City Council
- Savage and Dodd, Architects
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:-: Client
Satisfaction :-: |
| It was the best jungle gym I had ever
seen..... |
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Kirsty Grade
II |
View
letter |
| We wish to thank you for the excellent piece of work
done..... |
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Tinktinkieland
Preprimere Skool |
View
letter |
| I was very impressed at the way the work was done..... |
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Step Ahead
Pre-school |
View
letter |
| The team were excellent..... |
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N Trollip |
View
letter |
| Bigger smiles you haven't
seen..... |
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"Little Angels" |
View
letter |
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