"Located in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, Oppenheimer Park has a storied past and has served numerous roles in the community throughout its history. This park has always been a place of personal and cultural expression - a place where marginalized communities looking to express their culture have found common ground to share with friends and neighbours.
In recent years, the facilities in Oppenheimer Park had fallen into disrepair, which was contributing to the social challenges of the park and surrounding neighbourhood. The challenge for the park redesign was to create a place that reflects the history, social significance, and recreation needs that are relevant to this underserved community."
The playground is set amongst a grove of existing cherry trees providing well defined space and shade in the summer. The design is focused on providing creative play opportunities, avoiding obvious themes, which allow the children to make the space their own. Included in the design is a water pump, weir and water channel that ties the entire play area together. The design also features a double swing set, climbing poles and a "wyldwood" climbing structure. The playground is entirely accessible to children of all abilities."
One of the things I really appreciate about space2place's work is their thoughtful use of rugged planting materials to enhance the playscape. Nothing fussy here, just a good selection of dramatic plants that would appeal to any child. I'm baffled as to why more commercial playground providers don't just plant some plants...it would add so much to even the most banal installation, and it's not a difficult (or unsafe!) thing to do.
In these current photos of the Garden City playground, with the plants now well grown-in, you can see how much they enhance the space (notice how the red leaves echo the red poles!)...
P.S. I'll be in Vancouver in a couple of weeks myself. If you're interested in having a playground chat and seeing Jeff's work, let me know!
I am so thrilled so see another playground like the Garden City Playground. I live in New Westminster - about a 25 minute drive from the Garden City Playground in Richmond - and love taking my children to this park. Congratulations to Jeff and his team for another great playground.
ReplyDeleteAnd I completely agree with your comment about integrating plants into playgrounds. I tried to get our Parks and Recreation department to add shrubs to our local park in order to create some pathways and hide-away spots. I was told that it wouldn't be safe because parents had to be able to see their children at all times. It is unfortunate that anxiety about safety trumps providing play spaces, such as hiding spots, where children both want and need to play.
Anyways, I love your blog - it is both informative and inspiring.
Thanks, Jonina
http://growingupurban.ca/blog/