How a Wavendon Primary School Outdoor Area Was Transformed with Bark Woodchip, Log Rings and Stumps

A bank holiday weekend, a local school, and a group of people willing to muck in can make a real difference.

That is exactly what happened at St Mary’s Wavendon C of E Primary School, where Lee from Bakers Developments gave up his bank holiday weekend, brought together friends and family, and helped transform part of the school’s outdoor area, completely free of charge.

When he asked whether Browns Tree Solutions could support the project with natural play materials, we were delighted to say yes.

The goal was straightforward, to turn a bare and underused space into somewhere children would enjoy spending time.

To help make that happen, we supplied a range of natural materials suited to a school outdoor play area:

• Bark woodchip for a softer, cleaner and more attractive natural ground covering
• Log rings to create stepping stones, pathways and playful patterns
• Wood stumps for informal seating, balance play and simple outdoor learning zones

These are simple materials, but used well, they can completely change how a space feels and functions.

What had been a flat and uninviting area became warmer, more textured and more engaging, a space with far more potential for play, movement and imagination.

Natural materials can be a great fit for schools, nurseries and community outdoor spaces because they help create environments that feel more inviting and less sterile.

In projects like this, they can help:

• improve the look and feel of a bare outdoor area
• create simple features for play and exploration
• introduce texture, shape and movement into the space
• provide informal seating and low-level play elements
• make outdoor areas feel more cared for and better used

For schools looking at ways to improve an outdoor play area without installing major equipment, natural timber materials can be a practical and effective option.

What made this project stand out was not just the result, it was the way it happened.

Bakers Developments brought the time, effort and hands-on work.
Browns Tree Solutions supplied the materials.
St Mary’s Wavendon C of E Primary School gained an improved outdoor area for its children.

No fuss, no overcomplication, just local people doing something useful for a local school.

It is easy to talk about supporting the community. It is far more meaningful to turn up, get stuck in and leave somewhere better than you found it.

This project inspired us to go one step further.

We are now launching a giveaway for a local school, nursery or community space that could benefit from natural outdoor materials.

The winner will receive:

• up to 12 cubic metres of bark woodchip and/or garden mulch
• log rings for stepping stones and pathways
• wood stumps for seating and play features

We will donate and deliver the materials. All you need to do is nominate a deserving local space.

If you know a school, nursery or community area that could use some care and attention, head to our social media giveaway post, like and share it, tag the place you are nominating, and tell us why they deserve to win.

It only takes a couple of minutes, and it could help create a better outdoor space for local children and families.

Local contractors, we would love your help too

If you are a local contractor and would be willing to volunteer your time to help install the materials for a deserving school or community space, we would love to hear from you.

Good projects happen faster when good people get involved.