Surrounding the area, 24-unilateral signs posted on fence inlays display the hieroglyphic alphabet. Researched carefully by the CCSD and Stantec design teams, with input from graphic artist Melinda Lang, the alphabet is accompanied by a translation key posted for children and parents in the play area, creating an educational and interactive element. The fencing also provides a secure supervised play area used by the adjacent preschool.

A large variety of static and dynamic play equipment offer opportunities for older children to challenge and develop their social and motor skills.

Safety surfacing designed to resemble a river (perhaps the Nile) provides visual connectivity between the play areas.
A centrally-located ancient Egyptian themed water play area anchors the two play areas for use by all age groups.

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For the Teenagers
Skate elements designed for the skate plaza had teens in mind, providing an age-appropriate recreational outlet, while diverting skating activity from other areas of the park, often a source for surface wear and damage. Catering to teens and various age groups, the designers also included a Cal Ripken regulation-size baseball field, centered by a concrete plaza and two sets of dugouts and bleachers.

For the adults, a lifestyle of fitness and healthy living are conveyed throughout the park design, beginning with a meandering jogging trail that circumnavigates the park and intersects with the regional bike trail system. Several adult fitness stations are grouped within the park to provide cardiovascular and strengthening exercises.

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While not a full-fledged skate park, Stephenson?EUR??,,????'?????<

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A Family Destination
Several shade shelters with adjacent barbecue pits and horseshoe sand pits were positioned adjacent to play areas to provide space for family gatherings. Open spaces accented by seasonal color, grasses, and evergreen and deciduous trees provide pleasant settings for families to gather for less formal events.

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The Egyptian theme at Stephenson Park is continued through signs posted on fence inlays that display the hieroglyphic alphabet. The designers also included a Cal Ripken baseball field, centered by a concrete plaza and two sets of dugouts and bleachers (Aluminum Seating, Inc.). Cal Ripken fields are smaller-dimension baseball diamonds geared to the physical abilities of 12, 10 and 8 year old players. Ripken also creates fields for disabled kids.

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A Peaceful Place
One of the most distinctive elements of the Stephenson Park design is a reflexology path and meditation garden, designed as a stress reliever and outlet for adults. Marcillac and his team worked extensively to deliver this component of the plan devised by the CCSD.

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While history suggests that reflexology finds its origins in China, India, and Egypt, reflexology paths are commonplace in many contemporary park designs in Asia, sought out for their potential health benefits: improving blood pressure, balance and physical performance. The philosophy of reflexology is manifest in these paths through the practice of walking barefoot on strategically-placed, uneven, polished stones, so as to apply pressure to different parts of the foot. Citing 2005 Oregon Research Institute studies and first-hand experience held by Marcillac?EUR??,,????'?????<

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Paul Mewton and his team note the distinctive nature of the reflexology path and worked with the Stantec team on various designs and the selection of materials to meet the CCSD?EUR??,,????'?????<

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Stephenson Park has a full range of physical activities for youngsters. The Supernova (Kompan) is a large slanted ring that is easily set into motion. This turning, spinning ?EUR??,,????'?????<

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Addressing Challenges, Streamlining Design
As a complement to the reflexology path, the park features an intricate labyrinth surface that the CCSD originally conceptualized using painted acrylic on asphalt, similar to a tennis court surface. Following review with Stantec, prefabricated concrete pavers were recommended, a strategy successfully used on another CCSD park and several of Stantec?EUR??,,????'?????<

A Welcomed Community Addition
Following a public dedication in May 2010, the CCSD received widespread admiration from residents on the design, especially the various playground elements and amusements for residents.

Stephenson Family Park exemplifies the foundation blocks of the design principles identified in the CCSD master plan: creativity, programming for all ages, plus environmental and fiscal sustainability. ?EUR??,,????'?????<

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Stephenson Park Team

About Stantec
Stantec (NYSE: STN) is a professional consulting firm in planning, engineering, architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, surveying, environmental sciences, project management, and project economics for infrastructure and facilities projects. The firm has some 10,000 employees operating out of more than 150 locations in North America.

Stantec*
Todd Rhoads: Principle-in-Charge
Paul Marcillac: Project Manager, Lead Landscape Architect
Tran Quoc: Landscape Designer
Jih-Shen Chao: Landscape Architect???????(R)?EUR??,,????'?EUR??,,?EUR

Stantec provided all in-house services: landscape architecture, civil, electrical, and structural engineering for design development and construction documents.*

CCSD Planning
Paul Mewton: Chief of Planning, Design & Construction
Sheri Noblett: Senior Landscape Architect
Kari Biddix: Landscape Assistant
Erik Vierra: Landscape Assistant

Gene Moore
Landscape Construction Inspector. Responsible for planning, design and construction management

Architect
MFDB Architects (Preschool Bldg.)

General Contractor
Goodland Landscape Construction

Graphic Art - Interpretative Signage
Melinda Lang