[Jaye]

Thinking o my garden as a whole (not just the veggie plot) i had an idea about putting a path right around it leading into different areas so that the kids would have somewhere to ride trikes and scooters. I kind of thought about having it go behind the veggie plot and to the climbing frame but basically make it a loop so they can go round and round if they want to. Also have a bit through a willow tunnel/screened rat run  and a rose arch with blackberries on it....

This is my dream as my garden may be on the small side to do it with (i don't know the actual dimensions - i need to measure).

What i was really wanting to know though is would bark be okay for the paths with black anti-weed material beneath them. Does anyone know if kids can ride bikes etc on bark? I don't really want gravel / stone chippings as the kids will throw it at some point even if told not to and it will get in the lawn....

Jaye

[SnooziSuzi]

sounds fine to me so long as you don't put too much bark on the paths (could be like riding through treacle!   )

[Jaye]

Yes the treacle effect was what was bothering me!

I've been singing "Chick Chick Chicken" all day Suzi!

jaye

[SnooziSuzi]

I've been singing "Chick Chick Chicken" all day Suzi!

jaye

Yay!  

[Annie]

Bark,and gravel are impossible for small children  to cycle on  and difficult even when they are older.Wood shreddings are ok on top of weed suppressing fabric but you would need a lot and it doesn`t look so pretty.

[Selkie]

I don't have kids but I'd imagine it would be hard peddling through bark chippings too, how about some kind of paving?

[Jaye]

yes...it was just i wouldn't be abe to do the paving myself

Jaye

[Selkie]

Oh Jaye don't say that - you don't know how much you're capable of!

I'm sure someone else will be able to tell you how they've done it -- Crowndale has put some lovely brick pavers down on her plot.

[sweet nasturtium]

You could start off with turf, once you've got it marked out you can 'play' it by ear as to how the children use it.  Annie's right, they won't be able to cycle on bark.  Later when it's established as a path you could put in brick paving?

It's a great idea though, putting a track round for the children.

[Foxy]

Hi jaye - we are going to build a "hoggin" pathway -saw in a gardeining book and it looked lovely-quite robust as it is made up of clay,sand and gravel which all binds together making a firm surface. I had this link saved to work out how to do it. We are looking to put in a path from the house to the veggie area, so need something firm for the wheelbarrow.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2108028_build-hoggin-path.html
Hope this helps!

[Selkie]

:idea: That's a really good idea Foxy  :idea:

[Jaye]

I have read the link you gave me Foxy - but it's a little hard to imagine without having seen one. I will have to do some research! My other possibility (though not for biking on) is stepping stones - my parents have some and the kids love them. I have also seen paving slabs in a lawn - the slabs are painted for different board games - chess and tiddlywinks are the 2 i remember. i thought that was a really good idea....

Jaye

[clarebear]

If you get hold of the ornamental kitchen garden series geoff hamilton shows you how to lay paving. it looks really effective.