Jupiter Play & Leisure was a finalist in the Large Sports or Play Project of the Year category at this year’s SAPCA Awards. The company’s nomination was in recognition of its work on the Skypark Interactive play area at Butlins Minehead.
Encompassing both a toddler and teenage play area, Skypark is designed to evoke the key emotions children experience when playing, with joy, surprise, curiosity, happiness, calm and excitement all represented in different areas and through specific play equipment.
With a total cost of £1.5m, it is one of the most expensive individual play projects ever installed in the UK. As well as its cost, Skypark stands out due to its innovative approach to interactive technology, immersive lighting, data tracking, and its commitment to inclusivity and community impact through thoughtful design.
Jupiter Play’s design sees children navigate the two play spaces along the red “heartbeat” pathways, weaving through all the emotions that Skypark offers. Trampolines, suitable for all abilities, intercept this journey within the toddler under 6’s play space while musical drums, chimes and bells offer children complete freedom to experiment with sound in both areas.
An E-Emotion tunnel lights up along the central path and entrances, a wave of light immerses excited playground visitors as they pass underneath.
The sensory area features wind-up light posts, calming sounds, and music, while the large wheelchair-accessible roundabout and seesaw provide inclusive play options. The Sound Domo is a tent-like structure with seating underneath, a place for calm and the stimulation of the senses with lighting and soft interactive sounds and music from nature.
Interactive elements, such as the MEMO Play Pillars and SONA Dance Arch, offer an immersive experience that allows players of different ages and skill levels to play together. It allows the client to track park usage with data points including, length of time spent playing, number of individual sessions and length of play sessions.
The data from the areas provides opportunities to calculate the ROI of the installed playground in a way that has been previously out of reach.
For example, Butlin’s has reported that the adjacent café spend has increased by more than 40% since SKYPARK was installed.
Social value
The inclusive environment encourages children to play side by side, fostering friendships and mutual understanding. This social integration helps break down stereotypes and prejudices, cultivating a more empathetic and cohesive community. Parents and caregivers also benefit from shared experiences, building supportive networks that extend beyond the park.
Skypark offers spaces that cater to sensory needs as well, with quiet areas and sensory zones designed for individuals who may become overstimulated, such as those with autism spectrum disorders. The Sound Domo serves as a tranquil retreat, offering a sensory-rich space where SEND children can relax and manage overstimulation.
The integration of the MEMO Interactive Play Pillars system bridges the gap between play and education. By engaging in interactive learning games, children develop cognitive skills such as problem-solving, memory, and critical thinking. This approach enriches their educational outside the classroom setting and fosters a lifelong love of learning.
The park’s success demonstrates the economic viability of inclusive design, encouraging other developments to adopt similar approaches, which can lead to widespread community improvements. By showcasing how inclusivity can be seamlessly integrated into design without compromising aesthetics or play value, it inspires other projects to prioritise accessibility.
“Skypark at Butlins Minehead creates substantial social value by making education, accessibility, and inclusion central to its design,” Jupiter Play says.
“By offering a space where everyone feels welcome and valued, Skypark not only enriches the lives of its visitors but also strengthens the fabric of the community. Its inclusive model serves as an exemplary blueprint for future projects aiming to deliver meaningful social and health benefits through thoughtful, accessible design.”
