The towns of Camden and Rockport, located in Mid-Coast Maine, stretch along Penobscot Bay. The environment is rugged with mountains that extend to the rocky coastline. The rustic coastal community has working harbors with active fishing boats, a diverse art scene, and a core value of 'protecting the quality of life through quality of place'.
In 2017, Sashie Misner Landscape Architecture (SMLA) was contacted by Camden-Rockport School District to design their middle school playspace. The district was in the process of constructing a new middle school designed by Oak Point Associates to replace its existing building. The new school would serve approximately 380 students in grades five through eight. When SMLA joined the project, the building and campus design were complete with a playground area designated on the plans.
During initial meetings with the principal and staff, it was recognized that the school was interested in providing a unique play space that reflected the community and the environment and engaged middle school-aged children. We began our process with a discussion about what the new play space could afford children beyond what their current space offered.

 
SMLA assessed the play value of the existing play area and found the standard equipment afforded gross motor development but lacked interest as well as opportunities for creative play, social development, sensory stimulation, and engagement in a sense of place.

Challenges/Opportunities
The site sloped significantly, and the new building was sited such that access to the play area would be from both the main floor level and the lower floor level. A thirteen-foot grade change between the two access points afforded a wonderful opportunity to use topography for supporting play.
The design team's research-based approach to designing for play centers on the understanding that plant material, landscape topography, natural materials, and equipment contribute an equal role in supporting quality play. Quality play is evaluated based on whether the play environment supports the whole child's development needs.
The Camden-Rockport Middle School play space was designed to engage all ages with a focus on children ages 10-14. These ages are typically losing interest in standard playgrounds that lack risky play opportunities. The play space is organized with a central accessible path from the main level building entrance down to the lower level. Looping path circulation throughout the play environment offers choices with varying difficulty levels to support children as they gain confidence and skill. Many of the materials are non-uniform requiring decision-making and self-assessment. Equipment was selected from multiple providers based on what it afforded children and its ability to support developmental needs. Equipment is spread out and nestled within the entire play area to encourage maximum movement and engagement with the landscape. A net climber provides for upper body development while offering a perch at the top. A bridge from the climber connects to the hill and engages the landform in play. Various swings afford unique movement and sensory supports while being rich with social opportunities. Every element in the play space from the safety surface edging, retaining walls, and plants is intended to support play.
Materials, sourced locally, provided a connection to the natural environment. Plant material throughout the site was selected for durability, sensory characteristics, seasonal interest, growth rate, native status, and other qualities depending on its intended use and location.

Completed in 2020, the playground has become a community hub for kids and adults of all ages. During school time, staff has embraced the shift from traditional playground equipment to a 'Landscape for Play'. They observe more diverse types of play within all ages, less disruptive behavior, and much more movement among kids, true signs of success!