METIS Rope Crossing with Net and Arches

METIS puts two half-circle arches and a fine 0.3 x 0.3 m rope net on the same crossing, with two vertical ropes anchored to the ground to hold the assembly in shape. The main rope runs at 2.65 m to 2.85 m between posts 3.0 m apart.

Two ways across, one module

The arches and the net do different jobs. The arches support a traverse along the rope; the net, with openings of roughly 0.3 x 0.3 m, supports a climb through and across. Children who are confident go along the top, children who are not work through the net, and both are on the same piece of equipment at the same time. That is a useful property in a mixed-age play area where a single-skill module tends to be monopolised.

• Main horizontal rope at 2.65 m to 2.85 m
• Two half-circle arches
• Net of eight horizontal and four vertical ropes, mesh approximately 0.3 x 0.3 m
• Two vertical ropes anchored to the ground

Technical specification

Ground anchorage

The two ground-anchored vertical ropes stop the net swinging out of the designed envelope when it is loaded on one side. They are structural, not decorative, and their anchor points form part of the periodic inspection.

Installation and surfacing

Foundations are 1.0 m deep reinforced concrete footings and heavy plant access is needed. The impact attenuating surface to EN 1176-1 covers the full 5.3 x 8.3 m area, sized against a free height of fall of 2.85 m.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 0.3 m mesh small enough to be safe for climbing?

Opening sizes and entrapment are assessed as part of the certification to EN 1176-1 by an independent body. The net must not be altered or re-tied on site.

Which module should a first purchase be?

Where a site can afford only one module, a combined type like METIS gives more play patterns per square metre of surfacing than a single-function net or crossing.

What does the XL version add?

METIS XL uses three arches and a larger net of nine horizontal and six vertical ropes over a 4.24 m span.