A Galway based playground company showcased cutting edge play equipment with integrated technology to challenge teenagers both intellectually and physically at the Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition recently.
Go Play Ltd, which was set up by Galway man Brian Silke (a brother of Galway Advertiser columnist Ray Silke ) and Tom Foley in 2001 and is based in Corofin, designs and installs public playgrounds.
More than 1,600 young people played in the Teen Zone area and gave the venture top marks.
Go Play has carried out major research in partnership with the international Kompan Play Institute which reveals that children aged 10 to 15 years old are overlooked in terms of public spaces. They are too old to play in traditional playgrounds and too young to socialise like older teenagers.
The aim of the Go Play Teen Zone is to provide a designated space which is safe and encourages young people to interact with each another, to become physically active and use their natural curiosity for technology as a way to attract them to play.
Go Play Ltd set up a full scale example of outdoor space for teenagers featuring new products from the BLOQX and ICON ranges at the exhibition.
Nuala Greenan, managing director of Go Play Ltd, said it is committed to providing a positive solution to modern day issues concerning teenagers.
“We are very pleased with the positive reaction to the Go Play Teen Zone. It worked really well, the young people had great fun trying out BLOQX and the ICON Rocky and Nova and we are delighted with the feedback we’ve received.”
BLOQX is an innovative design incorporating part sculpture, part climbing wall as well as an outdoor meeting space. This climbing structure is based on simple three dimensional shapes equipped with climbing grips and stacked in curious configurations. Learning the art of free climbing is fun, challenging and a test of strength especially when BLOQX offers a variety of challenges to suit all skill levels.
ICON combines electronic gaming, sport and interaction in games to get young people active outdoors. A group of young people can develop skills of balance, strength, stamina and team work playing games such as Speed Chaser, Tug of Time, 4 Corners and Marble Drop.
