Located in Westfield, NJ, a town of 30,000 residents in Union County, about 25 miles from Manhattan, Mindowaskin Park is a spacious destination park that celebrates and teaches the rich history of this area. With precise details at every turn, this park transports visitors back to the Victorian Era with streetlights and architecture, big hats, suits and umbrellas. Combining a plethora of imaginative play opportunities with spinning, sliding and climbing creates unmatched play variety that draws children of all abilities into this space and changes the way they experience their local park. From the bridge to the light fixtures to the drinking fountain and playground, this park connects history to a place the community can come to gather, play and move in.

One of the goals in designing this space was to enhance the neighborhood greenspace offering and develop a play space that complemented the local ambience. Surrounded by gabled roofs, decorative trim, large porches and asymmetrical shapes, the same beautiful, Victorian-inspired designs adorn the play towers. The "streets" are even lit with lampposts that mirror the local style. As you flow through the village, multiple custom photo opportunity panels offer children the ability to imagine themselves in a whole new way, complete with characters in period dress. Designers at BCI Burke worked with the landscape and playground designers of Ben Schaffer Recreation, the Westfield Recreation Department, and friends of Mindowaskin Park to ensure the play environment remained historically accurate and aligned with the town's social culture.

 

Getting into the space is easy with double-wide ramps that, not only offer access, but also help to create town squares and direct the flow of traffic to areas where all children can be front and center to the main attractions. The space is designed to be equitable with multiple access points to each of the most exciting play components. There is a Volta® Inclusive Spinner where nine children can spin at the same time and users can transfer from their mobility devices to experience the joy of spinning. A Cruiser™ Wheelchair Rocker that offers the opportunity for mobility devices to park inside the rocker and be part of the motion that helps children develop proprioception, core strength, and balance. The REV8 combines climbing and spinning so children of different levels can play in the same space and all be challenged at their individual levels. Then there's Novo® Playful Furniture. Novo shifts of the paradigm of playground seating and offers a place for caregivers to sit comfortably inside the realm of play while also being a place for children to climb and explore. This multi-functional piece is perfect for enhancing user experience and fostering intergenerational engagement. Caregiver comfort is important because the more comfortable they are, the more time the children can spend playing - which means more socialization, development and fun.

Color is key to any environment and a play space is no different. With a mostly natural color theme and splashes of color sprinkled throughout for interest, this play environment invites children in to experience all of the benefits of play and appreciate the unique history of their community. As play and history intersect at Mindowaskin Park, children, families, and community members will learn, play, and grow together for many years to come.

Team list:
Ben Shaffer Recreation Inc., design & supply
Corby & Associates, installation & site work
BCI Burke Company, playground equipment
Victor Stanley, benches & trash receptacles