Evergreens UK Group: The UK’s first 100% circular artificial play surface installation completes on the Scottish Borders
Revitalising Community Spaces with a Sustainable Vision
A public play area and open space makes a monumental difference to a community, and in more ways than just play and access to the Great Outdoors. In the UK and particularly Scotland, the weather is both a challenge and a deciding factor when choosing landscape materials, surfaces and substrates.
The decision to install ONE-DNA™ Play 100% circular artificial grass from Accredited Suppliers, Evergreens UK Group's LazyLawn at Innerleithen Park marks a national first, aligning perfectly with the Scottish Border Council’s eco-conscious goals.
The environment, drainage, functionality and visual appeal were important considerations for the councillors in the Borders town of Innerleithen as they discussed the options for the long-awaited revamp of their playground, equipment and its combination with the surrounding landscape.
Designing for Drainage and Durability with Environmental Integrity
The large expanse in question, 1300 square metres in total, spanned beneath existing and newly installed play equipment, including a timber basket swing, multi-play unit with slide, and a trim trail featuring obstacles like balance beams, climbing frames and stepping logs. A barrage of wet conditions and long-term drainage problems had contributed considerably to the deterioration of the play surface over a number of years.
The drainage had been a problem for a number of years. Whilst original plans to overcome this had focused on wetpour, the Council Grounds team reached out to local sports surface and artificial grass specialist Gavin Brown at LazyLawn Scotland to discuss alternatives. An artificial grass play surface has benefits in both drainage and visual greenery – but sustainability? Enter: ONE-DNA™ Play.
ONE-DNA™ PLAY 24: The Credentials
Designed for playgrounds and multi-sport venues with a pile height of 24mm, the ONE-DNA™ Play 24 comprises:
- 100% PE straight yarn fibres;
- Fixation fibres with patented ONE-DNA™ technology
- 100% PE backing, UV stabilised
- EPD Verified as 100% circular
- 15 year life cycle (30 years for the Shockwave panels)
- Full Take-Back Program for end-of-life
A Groundbreaking Choice: The UK’s First 100% Circular Play Surface
Gavin and his LazyLawn and Sportsmaster team have been working with a new product – the first of its kind in the UK and a game-changer in terms of 100% circularity. ONE-DNA™ Play matched the Council’s sustainability goals, with its single polymer make-up ensuring that it can be fully recycled into other landscaping and premium products at end of life.
As well as its sustainable credentials, the ONE-DNA™ Play would be a more versatile, softer and more visually pleasing surface than the original wetpour option – and better for Council’s budgets, too. LazyLawn are pioneers of 100% circular ONE-DNA™ Play, and the Council agreed to join them as pioneers with this the first installation of its kind in the UK.
Overcoming Weather and Installation Challenges: The Project
Gavin explains how the installation unfolds; how the project started, developed and delivered on its promises of recyclability, functionality, versatility, texture and softness… and looks great whatever the weather:
“Introducing ONE-DNA™ into the discussions meant we opened up a whole new realm of play surfaces – and removed the barrier of recyclability. We’ve been eager to demonstrate the 24mm ONE-DNA™ Play in action, and with the installation of its shockwave pad from Nottsport, it would be the first fully recyclable artificial grass system from blade to beneath.”
“We knew we had to work around the existing and new play equipment, which brought its own challenges with fitting, edging and jointing. The area was stripped of topsoil, backfilled with a Type 1 aggregate layer and blended with grano dust. Where the critical fall height was over 2.5 metres, we fitted a double layer of Shockwave panel tiles; all others sufficed a 45mm single layer. The installation of a play-safe fence was secured and all edges of the surface were fixed with 190 linear metres of VertEdge edging, preventing trip hazards and finishing the area cleanly.
“We’re accustomed to local weather conditions, but during the installation which was scheduled for completion within 23 days, the temperatures were wildly fluctuating, with regular downpours hampering or completely preventing progress. There was even a day that started -2 degrees and finished at +18! Completing 10 weeks after we arrived on site, it was a real labour of love but one that we were more than excited to deliver, particularly with it heralding the first installation of its kind.”
A Blueprint for Sustainable Playgrounds across Scotland and the UK
After completion, the Councillors visited to inspect and approve the new play surface and area. They were absolutely delighted with the results, commending its softer, greener look, blending in with the natural surrounding backdrop of the park itself. They also noted that the open areas beyond the play equipment were also now being used by groups of children and youths, where it had previously been unattractive, unused space.
Carol Cooke, Parks & Environment Manager at Scottish Borders Council is understandably pleased with the results and said:
“We have had a very positive experience working with Gavin and the team on the Innerleithen project; they were very amenable and easy to work with. Gavin explained the design and installation process in easily understood terms and any minor issues during construction were resolved quickly.
We are really pleased with the end results, and community feedback has been positive. Scottish Borders Council are delighted to be the first local authority to use the product in a play environment. As well as providing looking great, the fully recyclable surface with 100% circularity of the system provides a sustainable choice and aligns closely with our corporate sustainability goals.”
From day one the general public has had high praise for the installation. Children raced to use it as soon as access was permitted, and many older visitors, dog walkers and those just passing mentioned that the area had “never been so busy in all their years”. It is a real testament to how the space is now being enjoyed to its fullest potential, and that beyond its life, it can be used and reused in the landscape with a much reduced environmental impact.
Gavin reflects on new product, its installation and future prospects:
“It was a challenging project, working with a new product in volatile, ever-changing temperatures and conditions. But as the project really took shape, our installation team gained confidence and mastery into how best to work with it, and it really impressed us. We’re very confident with its workability, feel, look and circularity potential - it is a very important, game-changing product that will bring about a welcomed revolution for the industry.”
Council Commitment to Greener Futures
Funded as part of Scottish Borders Council’s Capital Programme for Play Areas and Community Outdoor Spaces and supported by Scottish Government funding, the play facility upgrades form part of a £5 million investment to enhance the options and accessibility of play opportunities for current and future communities.
One of the most important groups to benefit within the community is the schoolchildren of neighbouring St Ronan’s Primary School, and they gathered in numbers along with local Councillors and stakeholders at the play area’s grand re-opening on Friday 25th April 2025.
One Material, Infinite Possibilities – The Power of ONE-DNA™
With the Innerleithen Play Area as an exemplar of the new product and system, Gavin will use this as a showcase for future projects, both at the Council and across Scotland. A second installation is already planned at a school within the region, and discussions are underway for another five sites.
To find out more about LazyLawn products, ONE-DNA™ single polymer artificial grass for 100% circularity and the Play range for your next project, call the LazyLawn team on 0800 023 2343, email info@lazylawn.co.uk or visit www.lazylawn.co.uk