Landscape Architects played a key role in designing playgrounds in past and present times with the help of in-house staff or subcontractors. Current LASN survey results reveal that 52% of Landscape Architects do in-house playground designs, 8% subcontract work out, and 40% rely on vendors. As the millenium approaches, parks and recreation are again becoming significant to the quality of life of a city and community. Senior Associate and Landscape Architect Jana Dewey McKenzie, ASLA, of EDAW, Inc. in Fort Collins, Colorado believes Landscape Architects are currently looking for "playground experience, durability, safety and aesthetics" when designing playgrounds. Landscape Architect Brad Bielenberg of the New York City-based firm Quennell Rothschild & Partners, LLP explains, "We take into consideration the surrounding area, its history, architecture, nature and various other thematic topics. Our intent is to incorporate the playground into its surroundings and provide a unique play experience that is both educational and creative."

Take the new Manhattan West Park on New York City's upper west side, for instance. Although construction and maintenance of the park are privately funded, the one-acre site functions as a public space. In the future, it will link open spaces planned for the Penn Yards site, providing a continuous connection from West End Avenue to the Hudson River. Designed by Quennell Rothschild & Partners through a public/private partnership with the developer of an adjacent residential complex, the park features an overlook with shaded seating, open lawn, a perennial border, and an innovative play area to serve both residents of the new development and the adjacent neighborhood. Whimsical sculptures like catfish-shaped water sprays, a large rhinoceros, and a salamander situated atop a large boulder by artist Nobi Shioya pepper the park. These elements are linked in a story written by the artist and displayed on a bronze tablet nearby. Large boulders are strategically sited throughout the park and provide informal seating. Gravel paving is used for a majority of the paths, juxtaposed with plantings that achieve a gardenesque feeling uncommon among most public spaces in the city.

Playground design can attract children by creating a space and play experience that is flexible. These environments allow the child to be imaginative by achieving unique play experiences through activities like climbing, sliding, water and art work. "Themes seem to attract children (i.e. boats, trains, etc.)," agrees Gil Jevne, RLA, of Madison, Wisconsin-based firm Schreiber Anderson Assoicates, "as do bright colors and interactive toys."

Community participation has also been helpful in several projects. McKenzie explains, "The playground per se is only one piece of the play environment. You can use the community to help develop the character and purpose of the play environment." Playgrounds encourage interactions with neighbors and the surrounding environment, while simultaneously evoking a sense of community pride. Managing Director and Partner Deborah Edsall, ASLA, of Edsall & Associates in Columbus, Ohio, comments, "There needs to be good linkages from one activity to another. Far too often, communities spend a lot of money for a piece(s) of equipment which has very limited play value."

McKenzie states that "Clients are looking for low maintenance and focus on ADA accessibility" but instead "should get something to push the edge and make it a challenge" for children. Landscape Architects should "look for ways to integrate art, education, cultural expression in a total park environment."

For instance, the Children's Play and Learning Environment for Bushnell Park in Hartford, Connecticut (see pages 2 and 3)--designed by Quennell Rothschild & Partners--provides various play experiences for young children, while working in conjunction with its historic park setting. Its features includes The "Mills"--a series of play structures, bridges and slides for all ages and physically challenged users. The structures wtll be reminiscent of the factories which once occupied the bank of thr Park River. The River Channel (a tiny watercourse that runs through the site ending in a circular spray fountain) recalls the Park River which used to flow through this section of the park. The pavement along the banks of the channel will be set with silhouettes of migrating fish, and other wildlife native to the Connecticut Valley. Smooth, rounded river rocks are also set along the edges of the watercourse. Semicircular, brownstone seats in The Story Circle will surround a state map--169 town names in Connecticut will be ingrained onto the seats. The Story Circle provides an environment for impromptu performances, story telling and picnicking. The Literary Grove will offer picnic tables in the shape of large open books, illustrating Connecticut's authors, and will be surrounded by seats of stacked books. The grove offers all ages an area for picnics and passive recreation.

"The greatest challenge in designing a successful playground is the need to educate owners and clients on what good facilities truly cost in the construction phase," states Edsall. She continues, "They need to know it is important to have a subgrade drainage system under the safety surface; there needs to be a good walk system to get people to the playground; there should be benches for parents to sit nearby to observe their children at play; there should be water and/or drinking fountains; and there should be adequate funding for landscaping for shade trees--to better define the play space and integrate the playground equipment into the total park system." lasn