Description
SHOTO is the largest structure we supply: 27.3 by 19.1 m in plan and 11.8 m high, an island-themed network of rope nets linking numerous raised platforms and bridges. At this scale a play structure stops being an item of equipment and becomes a piece of infrastructure, with the design, procurement and maintenance implications that follow.
What 11.8 m changes
- Visibility: the structure is read from across a town, which is why projects at this scale are usually funded as regeneration or tourism rather than as playground renewal.
- Engineering: foundations are high-strength concrete at 1.0 m depth and heavy lifting equipment is required for installation. Site access has to be resolved at design stage, not on the day.
- Inspection: rope terminations and connectors at 11.8 m need access equipment for the annual main inspection. That recurring cost belongs in the operating budget from the first year.
- Play: despite the height, the free height of fall is 3.0 m, because the dense net interrupts the fall path throughout the volume.
Materials and construction
Reinforced stainless steel structural posts carry a multi-level network of 18 mm polyamide rope with a braided galvanised steel core, cut-resistant and UV-stable, assembled with aluminium and stainless steel connectors. Decorative elements are impact and weather resistant HPL panel. Nothing in the specification requires repainting, which matters when repainting would mean scaffolding an 11.8 m structure.
Site requirements
The minimum impact area is 31.7 by 22.1 m — about 700 m2 — surfaced for a free height of fall of 3.0 m. Treat the surfacing as a separate work package with its own specification and warranty. For sites combining several large items, see our notes on complex playground configurations.
Technical specification
| Reference | LIF-SHOTO-1347 |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 27.3 m (L) x 19.1 m (W) x 11.8 m (H) |
| Age range | 3 to 14 years |
| Free height of fall | 3.0 m |
| Safety area | 31.7 x 22.1 m |
| Frame | Reinforced stainless steel posts |
| Rope | 18 mm polyamide with braided galvanised steel core, cut and UV resistant |
| Finish | Stainless steel and aluminium connectors; HPL decorative panels |
| Foundation depth | 1.0 m, high-strength concrete |
| Standard | EN 1176, certificate issued by an independent certification body |
| Price | On request — project quotation within 24 business hours |
Frequently asked questions
Is an 11.8 m structure appropriate for children from three years?
The age range applies to the structure as certified, and the lower levels are where younger children play. Height is reached progressively through the net, and the free height of fall is controlled at 3.0 m throughout. Supervision arrangements should still match the site.
What does the annual inspection cost?
More than for a conventional structure, because high-level connections require access equipment and a longer inspection. We set out the expected regime with the quotation so it can be budgeted rather than discovered.
Can the structure be adapted to a specific theme or site story?
The HPL decorative elements and the configuration can be developed for a specific project. Structures at this scale are normally designed around the site, so tell us what the place is about before we quote.
If you are planning a landmark play installation for a town, a waterfront or a major visitor attraction, send us your site plan, access constraints and funding timetable, and we will return a full costed proposal within 24 business hours.











