The Playgrounds Issue of Landscape Architect and Specifier News saw many firms submit their projects for feature consideration. Among several great projects, we at LandscapeArchitect.com thought Chapman Park deserved to be showcased online.

Chapman Park is located on the grounds of the Dorothy F. Johnson Center in Chico, CA. It was originally the location of Chapman School until the early 1950s, when the school moved, and the building was left vacant. The Center and grassy fields surrounding it are now utilized by CARD's recreation programs. CARD had a vision for upgrading the open space of the park to better serve the community. MDG saw a great opportunity for all-ages play and all-abilities paths. MDG and CARD worked together to write a Proposition 68 grant proposal to obtain funding for the project. The grant was awarded and was enough to fund most of the design and construction costs, with CARD funds covering the rest so that the whole project could be built as envisioned.

In March 2022, MDG and CARD teamed up again to engage the community and start the process of renovating this wonderful park. Following the Prop 68 grant requirements as closely as possible, we started with public outreach. We wanted to involve the community and gain as much input as possible. The schematic designs were presented multiple times to the public throughout the design process and lots of helpful input was received. We were able to refine the design of the park to include elements that met the needs of the community. After a year and a half of hard work, planning and collaboration, the park just completed construction and opened to the public in early January 2024.

 

Park elements include:
• Splash pad design that highlights natural waterways with interactive sculptures of local wildlife
• Renovated and improved turf playing field for sports, activities and CARD programming
• Two remodeled multi-use sport courts
• Community garden
• Amphitheater with shaded band stand complementing the design of the Dorothy F. Johnson Center
• Winding walking path throughout park with fitness stations
• Unique play structure with pour-in-place rubber, boulder climbing wall and optimal shade installations

To see more Playgrounds projects, go to https://landscapearchitect.com/landscape-articles/lasns-playgrounds-issue-34717#article1
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