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/274582
80 Landscape Architect and Specifier News (Continued on page 82) Mary Bartelme (Continued from page 78) directed. Water infiltrates below the surface and into a leech field located under a central berm, where the water is cleansed and infiltrated into the ground. Beneath the gateway fountain, photocatalytic smog-eating pavers alleviate the urban heat island effect and reduce air pollution. Sunrays activate the photocatalytic reaction within the white TX Active pavers (Unilock), which destroy organic and inorganic compounds before they have a chance to adhere to their surface. Organic pollutants decompose into oxygen, water and harmless salts. While the photocatalytic properties of the pavers clean the air on a clear day, on a rainy day their permeable solution allows rainwater to flow through their surface rather than being discharged into local sewers. The innovative practices allowed Mary Bartelme Park to serve as a successful sustainable design pilot project for the Chicago Park District, which has gone on to implement permeable pavement and other sustainable solutions throughout many of its 580 parks. Playground & Planters For families with small children, the northeast corner of the park is a popular stop, with a fully accessible playground comprised of custom play structures and complex topography. Formed from recycled rubber surfacing, the mounds are connected with a series of custom-designed bridges, slides, stepping pods, and climbing structures that promote creative, non-linear play. Without strictly separating age groups, the playground provides inventive, exploratory play experiences and physical challenges for ages ranging from two to 12, while accommodating a number of physical and cognitive disabilities. An enclosed seating area flanking the southwest corner provides a calm and contemplative community garden that contains a number of hidden design features. Terracotta artifacts salvaged from the demolished infirmary building are nestled in seat walls, planter beds, and within the mound, which are covered by profusions of more than 24,000 periwinkle-blue flowering bulbs in the spring. Surrounding the garden are weathering steel retaining walls that will oxidize over time, paying homage to the previously industrial use of the site and neighborhood. As they oxidize, the Right The fully accessible playground contains custom play structures (Berliner, Kompan, Landscape Structures) and complex topography that allows multiple age groups to play and be challenged together. Bottom, Left The playground provides inventive, exploratory play experiences and physical challenges for ages 2 to 12, and accommodates a number of physical and cognitive disabilities. Bottom, Right Mounds formed from recycled rubber surfacing (Total Surfaces) are connected with a series of custom-designed bridges, slides, stepping pods, and climbing structures that promote creative, non-linear play. 74-83.indd 80 2/27/14 9:05 AM