More fun has been added to the Maropeng Visitor Centre experience, following the installation of a new playground designed by Flow. The equipment is part of a larger design enhancement programme, which includes new orientation signage for the exhibition centre.
Janet Berger of Flow Communications, who has been managing the first phase of the programme, says that the process has been very rewarding: “It’s wonderful because we’ve been allowed to add value, not just in terms of functionality in the installations, but also in terms of aesthetic input.”
The new playground is made up of three installations – a jungle gym, sand pit, and snakes and vines board – and the play area is linked to educational information on display.
Made out of wood and other natural materials, the jungle gym also includes a fireman’s pole, monkey bars, and outward-facing swings that look out onto the Cradle of Humankind.
Children dig for “fossils” in the sand pit. Available for the finding are replica animal bones and ancient tools, buried at different levels depending on the age they represent. The snakes and vines board teaches children about the survival of the hominid, with snakes representing threats and vines showing opportunities.
The playground is situated in a triangular space behind the Tumulus building where there is space for more play equipment to be added at a later stage.
