LASN is a photographically oriented, professional journal featuring topics of concern and state-of-the-art projects designed or influenced by registered Landscape Architects.
Issue link: https://landscapearchitect.epubxp.com/i/85881
playground (Continued from page 26) Above, Right Additional play structures with a variety of climbing, swinging, spinning and sliding components were installed in the play area (Kompan Unique Playgrounds) to complement the centerpiece. Above, Left The structure's cables are positioned to prevent falls of over six feet. When J-U-B Engineers and the city facilities department showed the plans to the city council, they were so taken with the design that they named the 10.8-acre park after the play structure. Left The climbing structure's transparency makes child supervision easier. Some adventurous kids extend their climbing skills to the park's swing set. The choice of the mountainous play structure makes sense, given Saratoga Springs' proximity to natural geological wonders like Utah's Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. "We wanted a play piece that referenced the natural surroundings, not replicated it," said Graves. "It wouldn't make sense to have a faux rock climbing structure at this playground when the real thing is right outside the kids' doors." Graves's J-U-B design team included all kinds of movement opportunities with additional structures from Berliner and Kompan Unique Playgrounds. Besides climbing, children can swing, slide, stretch, bounce, see-saw, balance, run, and most of all, spin – alone, in twos, or more than a dozen children at once. As Edwards said, "We thought we had one E-ticket ride. As it turns out, they're all E-ticket rides. "Usage has exceeded our wildest expectations," Edwards continued. "Every afternoon, we see 200 people at the park. Kids wait in line to get on some of the play features. I have never seen so many kids in one place." Edwards finds the sight of adults from nearby communities getting involved with their children, each another, and other people's children at the park especially gratifying. "This park brings people out to interact with each other, and the children seem to be the ones giving the marching orders," Edwards said. "They want to come to the park, so the whole family comes to the park. I also like the idea that children are putting themselves in charge of their own fitness and exercise because playing actively is how children stay fit." 28 Landscape Architect and Specifier News