primrose hill trim trail - the royal parks · pdf filefarrer huxley associates existing zones...

Farrer Huxley Associates

EXISTING ZONES & ACCESS

There is currently one entrance into the trim trail, which is not well advertised and it can be hard to find if you don’t know it is there. The trail is surrounded on all sides with hedges, that help to keep the site contained. There is no connection to the adjacent spaces: the petanque area, toilets and playground.

The petanque area is not well used and The Royal Parks have confirmed that there is a potential for a change in use in this area.

Existing access

Entrance area

Hedges

Existing Zones & Entrances

VIEWS

VIEW

S

VIEWS

VIEWS

HILL TOP

Trim trail

Petanque area

Playground

London Zoo

Toilets

Primrose Hill Park Access and Views

Entrance areas

Hilltop view

The trim trail was installed over 20 years ago and has been well used since. The exercise space is popular, but has had no significant investment since it was installed and is now starting to suffer from prolonged and heavy use.

Key Characteristics

• Primrose Hill is surrounded by trees, that screen the adjoining buildings and frame the park

• The trim trail, playground and toilets are located at the lowest point on the hill and views from the upper hill are directed here, with multiple paths connecting and linking to the playground and trim trail area

• The aviary and trees within the Zoo form the backdrop to the area

KEY CHARACTERISTICS

• To refurbish and improve the existing trim trail to ensure it is fit for purpose for the next 15 years

• Attract new users of varying abilities

• Improve and increase awareness of the trim trail

How do we achieve this?

• Use of appropriate and long term durable materials

• Provide for a variety of ability levels

• Provide for a wide range of exercises

• Ensure the equipment is evenly and well laid out across the space

• Improve the existing entrance area to the trim trail and provide a new entrance

• Improved wayfinding and signage

AIMS

PRIMROSE HILL TRIM TRAIL

Phase 1:The Royal Parks were awarded £75,000 by the London Marathon Charitable Trust to refurbish the trim trail. This funding will be used to complete all phase 1 works.

Phase 2:The phase 2 plan is showing the wider aspirations for the petanque area and these works are subject to additional funding becoming available.

Trim trail area

Petanque area

Playground


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Equipment List1. Step Test2. Health Beat3. Bar Stretch4. Vault Beam5. Body Tuck Form6. Hop Over7. Hand Walk Ladder8. Forward Beam Walk9. Vertical Ladder10. Push / Sit Up11. Body Twist12. Step Up13. Parallel Bars14. Spring Up Bar15. High Jump16. Kick Stretch Pole17. Body Tuck / Twist

Petanque Area

Playground

Self binding gravel

Trim trail equipment

Grass

Hedges

Existing trees

Equipment which could be removed and replaced (lack in use or in poor condition)

Equipment which could be modified to increase use

Popular equipment - potential to duplicate

Key

0m 10m5m

EXISTING SITE PLAN



1. Step Test 2. Health Beat

3. Bar Stretch 4. Vault Beam 5. Body Tuck / Form 6. Hop Over 7. Hand Walk Ladder

The feedback from the consultation event showed that most of the equipment is popular and to be retained. Three pieces of equipment that were less popular were:

4. Vault Beam8. Forward Beam Walk16. Kick Stretch Pole

The feedback from both the personal trainers and public consultation were that the condition of the equipment needs improvement, but the exercise opportunities that they provide were good.

The surface and drainage surrounding the equipment also needs improvement. The existing surface materials are mainly self binding aggregate, with areas of grass matting and rubber mats around equipment.

The grass matting in all places is covered with gravel. The amount of usage and wear stop any grass growing through the mats. This results in a less appealing visual appearance.

Around some equipment there are rubber mats. Some of these are loose and in most cases these are simply laid on top of the existing gravel layer.

• Too much signage• Area around equipment not adequate• Timber worn and becoming slippery when wet• To be removed

• Too much signage• Area around equipment not adequate• Timber worn and becoming slippery when wet

• Very popular equipment• Loose rubber matting • Not enough surface area around equipment• Potential to add bars to existing structure

• Adequate surface around equipment• Timber worn and becoming slippery when wet• Equipment not well used• To be removed

• Surface material not performing as it should• Area around equipment not adequate• Bars position and heights to be looked at, to

ensure positioned at appropriate and varied heights

• Surface material not performing as it should• Area around equipment not adequate• Equipment otherwise in good condition

• Very popular equipment• Loose rubber matting • Not enough surface area around equipment• Height of equipment to be investigated or

the addition of access bars at low level to be considered

Equipment which could be removed and replaced (lack in use or in poor condition)

Equipment which could be modified to increase use

Popular equipment - potential to duplicate

EXISTING EQUIPMENT



8. Forward Beam Walk 9. Vertical Ladder 10. Push / Sit Up 11. Body Twist 12. Step Up

13. Parallel Bars 14. Spring Up Bar 15. High Jump 16. Kick Stretch Pole 17. Body Tuck / Twist

• Area around equipment not adequate• Timber worn and becoming slippery when wet• Equipment not well used• To be removed

• Surface material not performing as it should• Area around equipment not adequate• Popular piece of equipment also used for TRX

training

• Area around equipment not adequate• Timber worn and becoming slippery when wet

• Loose rubber matting• Area around equipment not adequate• Popular piece of equipment also used for TRX

• Area around equipment not adequate• Pole needs replacing

• Popular equipment• Loose rubber matting • Not enough surface area around equipment• Potential to add another parallel bars to

existing structure• Height of equipment to be investigated• Width between bars to be investigated

• Very popular equipment• Loose rubber matting • Not enough surface area around equipment• Potential to add bars to existing structure

• Area around equipment not adequate• Equipment also used for TRX• Potential to dedicate this station to TRX

exercise

• Equipment in good condition • Surface material not performing as it should• Area around equipment not adequate• Equipment otherwise in good condition

EXISTING EQUIPMENT



Two Enlarged Entrances

Entrance area

Entrance equipment/sign

Meeting circle

Circulation

Proposed tree

Key

1. INCREASING AWARENESS 2. EXCELLENCE AND FUTURE PROOFING FOR EXISTING USERS 2. ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONALITY

Key opportunities:• Enlarging the existing entrance into the trim trail• Moving and enlarging the entrance into the petanque area at the corner• Opportunity to place signage and one piece of equipment on the outside by both

entrances• Creating a circulation through the trim trail into the petanque area• Introducing one meeting circle with seating and centralised, much simpler signage

There is currently only one entrance into the trim trail and one entrance into the petanque area. There is no connection between the two spaces.

Enlarging and creating new entrances into both spaces will help to increase awareness of the trim trail from the park. A piece of equipment could be placed here together with a sign to give a clue to what is inside.

Connection and access from the trim trail to the petanque area would open and link the two spaces together and the underused petanque area could be utilised for general exercise.

Retention and removal of existing equipment:• Almost all equipment is popular and to be retained• Removal of worn and least popular equipment

Modifications to existing equipment:• Potential to add a additional bars to existing structures to increase functionality

New equipment: Duplication of popular equipmentVariation in height and widths compared to existing

• Pull up bars• Parallel bars• Body twist / arm stretch• TRX Station

Considerations to include height and width, variation in heights of bars

Other points to consider:• Variation and spacing of equipment is important• Ensure adequate areas of surface material around equipment• Maintenance of existing equipment:

Painting of all equipment Tightening of screws/bolts Explore possibilities of increasing grip Replacement of worn timber

Meeting circleMeeting circles have been introduced to draw people into the spaces to encourage use. Use is further encouraged by placing seating and information signage here.

General exercise areaThe ability to play petanque will still be possible in this area. Further functions could include group exercise classes and general exercise without equipment.

This area will also be able to accommodate a shuttle run and high intensity training. Timber markers could be placed at distances to help with this.

Additional Function

Existing trim trail equipment

Meeting circle

General exercise area

Key

Additional equipment:• There is limited potential to add new equipment into the existing trim trail area • If an increased amount of equipment is to be introduced it would be more suitable

to explore the options of adding equipment into the petanque area

Additional post

Additional bar

Existing posts and bars

Additional postAdditional bar

Pull up bar Parallel bar Arm stretch TRX station


DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS


PROPOSED PLAN: PHASE 1

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0m 15m5m 10m

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A. Entrance circle to trim trail area: Proposed entrance sign and equipment with tree to mark out entrance

B. Entrance circle to petanque area: Proposed entrance sign and equipment with tree to mark out entrance

C. Meeting circle: Circular seat and summary sign with information about the trim trail

D. Connecting path: Proposed path connecting the trim trail area to the petanque area

E. Trim trail path: Path connecting all the equipment and creating a route around the trail, allowing you to circulate the area without interrupting users exercising on the equipment

Petanque Area

Playground

Equipment list: Phase 11. To be removed2. Health Beat3. Bar Stretch4. To be removed5. Body Tuck Form6. Hop Over7. Hand Walk Ladder8. To be removed9. Vertical Ladder10. Push / Sit Up11. Body Twist12. Step Up13. Parallel Bars14. Spring Up Bar15. TRX Station16. Kick Stretch Pole17. Body Tuck / Twist18. Arm Walk19. Beam Walk20. Arm Stretch

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Equipment to be removed

Modified existing equipment

New equipment


PROPOSED PLAN: PHASE 2 Please note that any phase 2 works are subject to additional funding.

F. Meeting circle: Circular seat providing a meeting point in the petanque area

G. General exercise area: Enlarged general exercise area, providing opportunity for exercise and petanque

H. Shuttle run: Shuttle run marked out by timber markers

Equipment for phase 2 area will be aimed at beginners and new users.

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G

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EQUIPMENT DETAILS

• Additional lower level pull up bars

Additional post

Additional bar


Additional postAdditional bar

• Low level access bar to be added at bottom to ensure reach for a larger range of users

Low level horizontal access bar

Low level horizontal access bar

13. Parallel Bars

14. Spring Up Bar

• Additional set of parallel bars aimed at beginners

• Additional bars at varying heights

Additional post

Additional bar


Additional post

Additional post

Existing posts and bars Additional bar

Additional post

Additional bar

Modifications to existing equipment

3. Bar Stretch

7. Hand Walk

Modifications to existing equipment New equipment

15. High Jump• Station to be dedicated to TRX use• Height of horizontal bar to be considered• Additional horizontal bar could be added

18. Arm Walk

15. Beam Walk

15. Arm Stretch

• Duplication of popular equipment• The height of equipment will be aimed at

both beginners and more advanced users

• To replace the removal of existing equipment 1and 8

• Multi and flexible use of equipment

• Duplication of popular equipment• The width and height will be aimed at

beginners

Additional sloping bar

Low level access bar

Leg-Flex• Alternative equipment to no: 15 Beam

Walk• Multi and flexible use of equipment



SURFACE MATERIALS PALETTE

The trim trail offers exercise opportunities in a traditional park setting and the visual appearance of the surface materials are important, as well as the long term performance.

A palette of natural and warm colours will be introduced to complement the existing equipment.

Surface around equipment: Wetpour Recycled plastic edge

Paths: Self binding aggregate Timber edge

Entrance & Meeting circle: Tar spray and chip surface Textured granite sett edge

Petanque area: Self binding aggregate Timber edge


Proposed new surfaces

Proposed new surfaces plan


The meeting circle is created to draw users into the trim trail. By placing the signage here, it gives new and existing users an opportunity to familiarise themselves with the trim trail and exercises before approaching the equipment.

The seating placed in the middle allows new users an opportunity to view the trim trail and gives users an opportunity to rest after exercising and to socialise with others.

Following the simple materiality and feel of the existing trim trail a natural palette of materials has been suggested. The benches will be timber slatted and seating low not to disturb view lines across the space.

The signage could have hooks and hangers incorporated to allow for users to hang clothes up while exercising.

MEETING CIRCLE

The entrance circle intersects the park path and the gap in the hedge offers a view of the meeting circle enticing users in.

To increase awareness of the trim trail a piece of equipment will be placed here together with a sign.

A tree will help to mark the entrance further and act as a marker from a distance.

ENTRANCE CIRCLE


View from meeting circle to trim trail entrance View along path in the park at entrance circle View from entrance circle into trim trail area


PROPOSED ENTRANCE SIGN EQUIPMENT SIGNAGE

Pull up bar and trim trail text on post

Cut out lettering detailUse of The Royal Parks symbols

The proposal is to place one sign by the entrance. This will advertise the trim trail and give a clue of what is inside. The proposal is for the entrance sign to be a piece of equipment combined with a simple sign.

Entrance signage opportunities:• Trim trail equipment• Use of The Royal Parks symbols• Simple name sign

The current equipment signage is cluttering up the space and some of it is out of date. The proposal is to create one overall sign with a plan and general information about the trim trail. The existing equipment signage will be removed as part of this process.

The proposed sign will also show information about where to go to find out more information. By placing a centralised sign by the meeting circle, it also give the users opportunity to read the sign without approaching the equipment.

Key

Existing signage locationsExisting signage

Proposed Signage

Key

Proposed signage locations

SIGNAGE PLANS

Key considerations:• The material quality of the signage is to complement the qualities of the trim trail and

is to be simple and natural• Considerations should be paid to life time and wear of material

Existing signage

Pull up bar and trim trail sign header

TRIM

TR

AIL

TRIM TRAIL

INFORMATION

INFORMATION

INFORMATION

• Trim trail plan with short description of equipment

• Hooks and hangers can be added to the signage poles for users to hang their clothes when exercising

• Space for leaflets• QR barcode information taking you

to trim trail website for additional information

Tall sign following principles of entrance sign

Low sign with header

Low sign, enabling views above


Options for entrance signage

Options for meeting circle signage

Meeting circle signage opportunities

primrose hill trim trail - the royal parks · pdf filefarrer huxley associates existing zones...

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