Shiver Me Timbers, Maryport

Cumberland Council approached KOMPAN with a clear objective - to transform an outdated park in Maryport into a vibrant, pirate themed playground that would revitalise the area and attract more families. This project funded by the UK Government’s Levelling Up scheme, which was allocated to regenerate Maryport and boost the local economy.

The project was competitively tendered, and KOMPAN was selected for our high-quality playground equipment and innovative design. In consultation with the local community, Cumberland Council invited residents to vote on their preferred playground design. An overwhelming 70% chose the pirate ship playground theme, which complemented the site’s stunning location overlooking the harbourside.

Our brief was to deliver an inclusive space that would excite children of all ages and abilities. We incorporated a wide variety of play elements designed to inspire repeat visits, ensuring the playground would quickly become a favourite family destination. Durability was also key, given the coastal location, which we used coastal-hardy steel and TexMade posts, which are specifically designed to withstand harsh seaside conditions.

KOMPAN’s in-house installation team carried out the installation of the playground, offering a seamless end-to-end service from design, manufacture and through to installation. This ensured that every element met our high standards and provided Cumberland Council with confidence in the quality and consistency of the entire process.

Since opening Maryport has seen a 35% increase in footfall compared to the previous year, demonstrating the playground’s and the surrounding re-generation projects’ strong appeal and their role in drawing both local families and visitors to the town.

Our aim was to create a space that is accessible and enjoyable for everyone, all year round. Seeing families queueing to enter on opening day was a powerful testament to the success of the design and its immediate popularity!