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
Above & Middle The Centennial Park gateways are by Chevo Studios of Denver; the lead artist was Andy Dufford. The gateway columns are hand- pitched Colorado buff sandstone (Arkins Park Stone) topped with metal arches with detailed metal cutouts of birds in flight. The piece is "Migrations," which celebrates the annual bird migrations along the Rocky Mountains corridor. PHOTO: ROBB WILLIAMSON In August 2012, following the London Olympic Games, Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper led a crowd of hundreds at the new Center Park in Centennial, welcoming home Colorado Olympians. Athletes included local swimmer Missy Franklin, winner of four Gold Medals in London. It was a day of celebration for this creative play park that even on a normal day is drawing crowds. One of the main attractions is the park's cross-generational playground, a multidimensional play space that appeals to the kid in everyone. Centennial Center Park opened in April as the first municipal park in Centennial, a community incorporated on Feb. 7, 2001. The new city, just southeast of Denver and south of Aurora, incorporated parts of Arapahoe County and the communities of Castlewood and Southglenn. The joined communities yielded a population of about 100,000, making Centennial the largest incorporation in U.S. history. 58 Landscape Architect and Specifier News Centennial wanted a central gathering place for the community, and asked Design Concepts of Lafayette, Colo. to design the master plan for the 11-acre park. Working with the city council we designed the recreation elements specifically so visitors could do a surprising variety of activities in close proximity. We believe the playground is a venue, an invitation to socialize. The playground design maximizes opportunities for kids to interact, which is by far the most important aspect of play. From our experience designing playgrounds and observing the results, we suspect that playground activity is composed of smaller percentages of physical movement and imagination, and a larger percentage of social interaction. Young or old, we like to play together. We learn how to socialize on the playground as children and practice socialization skills as adults at play.