looking for inspiration for our outside area - any ideas?

[hazelnunhead]

We have an area in our garden 6m x 4m which is presently covered in chips of slate (I think thats what they are). This area is to be "transformed" into the play area where my daughters trampoline is to go.

I need to get it covered in something soft / durable /

My options at the moment are

Because of a big tree / shaded a bit etc, a gardener i got in said that to lay lawn would not work - so that leaves me with ....

Bark (chippings) - which is cheap (I think?) and easy - but i am worried about the local cats and foxes using this as a toilet! Anyone got bark and any thoughts on this?

Artifical turf - however the quotes come in around ?1200 - ?1800. Still a bit unsure of this, never had artificial grass before, but it sounds good for terms of playing area, but expensive

Some for of rubberised mats - i have contacted a an eco type company that do this and they think it will be around ?1000 to have this fitted .... (like the surfaces they have in outdoor playgrounds)

Does anyone have any experience / ideas / names of suppliers that they could suggest.

Have you done something that you loved and would recommend?

Desperately looking for ideas, all gratefully received ....

[BeccaL]

In similar position we put down bark - we have tonnes of foxes in our garden but they don't seem to use it as a toilet (have to admit haven't looked too closely but have had no reports of it from children using it). Is fairly cheap and easy. Welcome to come and have a look if you like... Think we got the bark from Lidls when it was on offer so even cheaper - few pounds per bag. Did however lay down a weed-proof membrane underneath to prevent stuff growing through which has made a big difference - would be full of weeds otherwise!

[hazelnunhead]

Becca thank you for that - its good to know about it not necessarily being an outside loo for nocturnal visitors! The other options are just going to work out too expensive i think ......

can you tell me if you got the bark chip nuggets or general play bark (which is a little bit cheaper)

The tip about weed-proof membrane is helpful. At the moment, it is concreted, with the slates bits on top, would we still need a weed-proof membrane?

I might well take you up on your offer to come and have a look

do your children find it easy to play on? soft?

[BeccaL]

I think it was just general play bark but was a few years ago. If it's concrete underneath probably won't need membrane but might want a thicker layer of bark. Daughter happy playing on it, but most of it is now covered by the trampoline. PM me if you want to pop round for a look!