De Boer scans the horizon at Hyde Park!

While the average visitor to London’s Hyde Park might carry an ice cream, their sunglasses or a good book, staff at De Boer have opted for another “must-have” accessory – the latest in radar technology. 

Playtex MoonWalk charity event
The structure specialist has been baffling onlookers by conducting detailed underground scans of a huge area of the park near to historic Speakers’ Corner as it prepares to provide facilities for this summer’s spectacular Playtex MoonWalk charity event. 

Attention to detail
De Boer’s meticulous attention to detail follows the relocation of the annual fundraising extravaganza from its previous home on the south-east corner of Hyde Park because of routine grass re-seeding by Royal Parks’ staff. 

Specialist radar equipment
As well as presenting the everyday challenges of hidden utility pipes and cables, the Speakers’ Corner site – near Marble Arch – also lies immediately above an underground car park. It means De Boer’s team has had to use specialist radar equipment to locate the roof and walls of the car park, in addition to carrying out a detailed topographical survey of the entire area. 

Pink Galaxy
And with The MoonWalk using De Boer’s huge Pink Galaxy structure, measuring a mighty 152 metres by 60 metres and requiring more than 260 supporting poles, it has involved the scanning of more than 9,000 square metres of London’s famous park. 

Detailed preparations
De Boer Key Accounts Manager Kate Morrison explained: “Identifying underground services such as gas, water and electricity is all part of De Boer’s everyday work but our preparations for The 2010 MoonWalk have been complicated by Hyde Park’s underground parking. By using radar equipment we’ve managed to confirm the exact location of the car park’s walls and ceilings before any building work gets under way.” 

Building work due to commence in May
Having completed its detailed scans, De Boer’s team now has several weeks to assess the data ahead of its equipment moving on site. Building work is due to begin in early May, ahead of The MoonWalk taking place on the night of Saturday May 15. 

Walk the Walk
Now in its 13th year, the charity spectacular involves 15,000 people setting off from Hyde Park on a power-walk through the streets of London to raise money for breast cancer causes. The event – which encourages participants to wear decorated bras as part of their outfit – is one of a number of fund-raising activities organised by charity Walk the Walk. 

Long-time supplier
De Boer has been a long-time supplier to The MoonWalk, with the company’s Pink Galaxy designed and created in 2006 specifically in the charity’s vivid corporate colour. 

Temporary facilities
The structure has since been used at successive events and will be accompanied at this year’s gathering by a range of De Boer’s other products, including Chalets, Walkways and A-frame structures, for uses such as baggage storage, VIP facilities, kitchen, merchandising unit and information desk. 

Bespoke service
Kate Morrison added: “The size of the Pink Galaxy – equal to the playing areas of 35 tennis courts and standing 26 metres high – means it has a huge impact on the London skyline. But it also involves a lot of preparation work to ensure there are no potential issues underground!”