Art of play: Penwith natural site nears completion

A COMMUNITY project granted £30,000 from the Big Lottery fund to build Penwith's first natural play site is putting the finishing touches to the scheme. The St Buryan Community House committee with children, young people and residents have been bringing their ideas to artist and designer Melina Hubbard who has successfully brought them to life. The project includes a six-foot tyre-eco cave made by George Clinton, designer of the Brighton Earthship who used the same building techniques for the structure; a plen-type theatre performance space with tiered and turfed seating and a framed willow dome; a swamp garden fed from rainwater which is collected underground and pumped through a granite tower water feature which is powered by a see-saw; a musical maze, wood carvings and ramps and tunnels; and a mosaic path made entirely from recycled tiles and a walled garden area for food crops. Melina Hubbard, originally from Devon, is an environmental arts and crafts graduate from Bicton College. The 29-year-old said it was a thoroughly enjoyable and challenging piece of work. "This is my biggest project as a freelance children's garden designer. It was a fantastic experience and has given me the desire to work in the urban environment. I'd like to take on an environment that really lacks any connection with the elements and nature, and I'd like to reconnect them with play and get them back to the roots of life, but in an urban setting," she said. Funding for the play site was secured by Penwith District Council and the Penwith Play Partnerships.