Every winter the ground around the playground and picnic benches stops draining. Water sits on the surface for weeks, the grass gives way to bare mud, and the area around the play equipment becomes unusable at exactly the time of year people most need somewhere to take the children.
The photos here were taken after ordinary winter rain, not a storm.
What we think is going on
Years of use have compacted the ground, so rain can't soak away and instead pools on the surface and runs off. The result is standing water in the low spots and worn bare patches where the grass has given up.
What would help
Before committing to anything we need advice from someone who understands soil structure and drainage - whether the answer is aeration and improving the soil so it takes water again, land drains carrying it somewhere useful, or a combination. It connects to clearing the rainwater drains and to the uneven ground around the drain covers, so it's worth looking at the whole picture at once.
Cost to be confirmed.