Creating the best possible environment for children goes beyond education alone. It also means providing safe, inspiring outdoor spaces where young minds can learn, play and grow. That vision guided Shenley Fields Nursery School in Birmingham when it decided to transform its outdoor play environment with the installation of ONE-DNA™ artificial grass.
Working together with Venture Play, a specialist in play environments and a proud licensee of the Evergreens UK Group, the school created a playground designed for both today’s children and tomorrow’s world.
Transforming the Schoolyard
The existing playground surface had reached the end of its useful life and no longer met the school’s ambitions for a safe, attractive and environmentally responsible outdoor space. Rather than simply replacing the old surface, Shenley Fields Nursery School chose an approach that also considered the end of the surface’s service life.
The project began with the removal of the existing artificial grass, followed by improvements to the sub-base to create a stable and free-draining foundation. Once the preparation work was complete, the installation of ONE-DNA™ artificial grass transformed the playground into a vibrant and welcoming environment where children can play throughout the year.
The entire project was completed over a two-week period by the Venture Play team, ensuring minimal disruption to the school and its daily activities.
A Playground Designed Around Children
For nursery schools, safety is always the highest priority. The new surface provides a clean, durable and comfortable environment where children can explore, learn and play with confidence.
The benefits extend beyond safety. The all-weather surface remains accessible throughout the year, reducing muddy conditions during wet periods while maintaining a natural green appearance that enhances the outdoor learning environment.
David Aldworth, Head Teacher at Shenley Fields Nursery School, commented:
We have been delighted by the service offered by Venture Play. From our very first encounter they have been reliable, courteous, professional and dedicated to meeting the needs of the children in our care. It has been an absolute pleasure to work with the team and I recommend them to other schools without reservation.
Material choice
What makes this project particularly significant is the school’s decision to choose a surface designed for recycling. The playground features ONE-DNA™ artificial grass, a system made in 100% PE (one polymer).
Unlike traditional artificial grass systems that combine multiple materials, ONE-DNA™ is designed for recycling. Its single-polymer construction is designed to simplify recycling at the end of its service life, where suitable collection and recycling are available.
At the time, the installation was combined with the ONE-DNA™ Take-Back Program that existed then.
Robert Jackson, Sales Director of Venture Play, explains:
By selecting ONE-DNA™ artificial grass, the school chose a playground surface designed for recycling.
Setting an Example for Future Schools
Schools play an important role in shaping future generations.
The transformation at Shenley Fields Nursery School is more than a playground renovation. It is an example of how schools can combine safety, functionality and environmental responsibility in a single project.
Looking ahead
As sustainability becomes increasingly important across education and public spaces, projects like Shenley Fields Nursery School demonstrate what is possible when environmental responsibility is built into decision-making from the start.
Thanks to the collaboration between Shenley Fields Nursery School and Venture Play, children now enjoy an attractive, all-weather play environment, designed with end-of-life recycling in mind.
Update, October 2026: this article reflects the ONE-DNA™ range at the time of publication, based on polyethylene (PE). ONE-DNA™ now also includes a 100% PO route; see Technology for the current material routes. Earlier references to a take-back program have been revised; ONE-DNA™ does not currently operate a take-back program in any market.
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