Project Description:

The site for this park is the geographic center of a master-planned community of approximately 27,000 residents. It is contiguous to a 20-acre lake and adjacent to a junior Olympic size swimming pool and recreation center. After a decade of use the original playground equipment in this park was showing signs of wear, and the Board of Directors for the community association was persuaded that the playground was in need of a complete renovation.

At the same time the landscape architectural firm was selected to design the overall renovation of the playground, a committee was formed to incorporate neighborhood input and to spearhead a community fundraising effort to augment available funds. As anyone involved with parks and playgrounds knows, the "wish list" for a new playground quickly exceeds the proposed budget. The Association was able to contribute roughly two-thirds of the projected $300,000 needed. Yet it was the last third that turned this project into the unique and distinctive playground it is today. The innovative use of hand-made ceramic riles focusing on the aquatic theme gave the fundraising effort a creative way to honor all those who donated. A local artist was commissioned to create the ceramic pieces so that each donation level would correspond to a different aquatic species such as fish, sea turtles and starfish.

The landscape architect incorporated the riles into the neon blue wave-form donor wall surrounding the outside of the playground. Continuing the aquatic theme, the use of water maximizes fun with a sprayground that creates a sprinkler-like effect over one portion of the play area. The water area works very efficiently with a non-skid rubberized surface underfoot and the floor sloping to a drain that recycles the water into the lake. The spray features are triggered by an electric eye that stages them to go off at regular intervals and allows the system to be turned off completely during the colder months.

In addition to the spmyground, the playground has several other special features that really make it an exciting experience for all that visit. Another goal for this playground was to focus on the pre-school age children who are the primary users in the community. The playground includes a large water/sand area play station with a wonderful ship sandbox at the center. Also on this side of the playground are toddler-sized swings and slide, spring toys, and a climbing structure. The landscaping in this area of the playground includes large oak trees and plenty of benches and low concrete edging for parents to sit, watch and interact.

In the middle of the park is a vine-shaded arbor with benches and picnic tables that are perfectly situated to enjoy the activity in every direction. There is also a seesaw and several cast concrete stepping stones, shaped like "aquatic creatures." The remaining third of the area is devoted to a large climbing structure that is ideal for the four to ten year olds, and at the front section of the playground are two sets of swings.

The playground is semi-enclosed with the wave-form wall and shrubbery on the street side and the use of fencing on the lakeside. The low iron fence on the lakeside is the same bright blue and follows the same waveform as the stucco wall. Foot traffic meanders through the center of the playground along an expansive concrete walk.