After discussions with the rangers at Mugdock, we agreed that it would be interesting to try to provide something different for children to play with but not to advertise it, and see if children did get involved. I worked for three days in a small grassy picnic area connected to the play area and constructed a small willow dome. The dome gave me something to do while I was at the park, and provided a focus, which encouraged children and adults to come and ask what was happening. There were slices of log, which could be set out like stepping-stones or piled up, to make a stool. There was also sand, and shells, pebbles and pinecones, to play with, and sometimes, spades were available.

A group of boys came in one of the days and turned the area into an assault course (with traps and imaginary dynamite). They spent some time rearranging things, and digging holes. (their adults were either very patient or were elsewhere taking the dog for a walk).
On another day a small girl wanted to act out a story with her mum and her wee brother in the dome. Two families who had come to the park together tried to make their own wee house amongst the young trees next to the area. They are regular visitors to the park and often make 'fires' when they are there. A number of smaller children were attracted to the sand. Quite often adults with them discouraged them, in case they got dirty. A number of older children asked if they could help to build the structure (and did).