In the heart of the City of Lynwood, a vibrant transformation is underway. The municipality, is expanding its recreational offerings and reaching for the stars with a vision that combines sustainability, safety, and the wonder of space exploration.

Providing Open Space and Imaginative Play
Mark Flores, the City of Lynwood's Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Director, envisions "risk-taking play" and "inclusive play" for the 1.1-acre, space exploration-themed park and playground design. Driven by the community's needs and aspirations, this collaborative effort will serve as a regional draw, attracting visitors from surrounding areas while functioning as an afterschool hub for young students by offering them a safe and stimulating environment.

The new Mega-Playground won't just replace the old one - it's a whole new world of adventure and imagination that harkens back to the 1950s, when Lynwood and Southern California became an industrial powerhouse in the manufacturing of aircraft, ships, electronics, parts, and raw materials for the military.

Imagine a 22-foot-tall 'Saturn Sphere' play equipment, a 30-foot-tall 'Rocket,' a California native shade garden, and an 86-foot-long 'Constellation Walk' around the woods. Every element of the playground is designed to spark interaction and socialization. The vibrant colors, dynamic shapes, and engaging structures will ignite wonder and collaboration among children of all ages.

The goal is to encourage their curiosity and guide them towards the STEM/STEAM magnet programs that have become well-established in the city's school systems.

 

Design-Build Team
The collaborative effort between SWA (Landscape Architect), BrightView (contractor), and the play equipment manufacturer promises a streamlined and efficient process. With a shared vision for excellence, these partners are embarking on a project that aims to seamlessly integrate their expertise to deliver a transformative location.

BrightView is spearheading demolition, site preparation, and equipment procurement. SWA Group, based in Long Beach, CA and renowned for its landscape architecture prowess and passion for public parks, is managing and leading the design through construction.

Design Details
The playground's landscape design emphasizes climate resiliency and minimizing carbon emissions by using native plants, drought-tolerant species, and low-carbon materials. This includes a 50% increase in native plants. Nine different Southern California native perennials and grasses will be reintroduced as well as two native shrubs and indigenous groundcovers. These additions strengthen the ecosystem against the impacts of climate change and enhance biodiversity by creating food sources for wildlife like hummingbirds and other pollinators.

To combat the urban heat island effect and promote biodiversity, the playground will incorporate wide-canopied, native California Sycamore trees (Platanus racemosa) as an extension of the existing sycamore foliage in Lynwood Park. These trees provide shade and shelter for visitors and serve as vital food sources for birds and wildlife.

Sustainability features extend beyond landscape design to every aspect of the playground. The playground manufacturer is committed to reducing carbon emissions in playground production and prioritizing the use of post-consumer recycled materials over raw materials. For instance, using EcoCore?,,? HDPE panels made from over 95% post-consumer recycled waste instead of panels made from virgin plastic, reduces carbon emissions by 82% CO2e/kg. Opting for low-carbon aluminum profiles produced with renewable energy sources instead of traditional ones decreases carbon emissions by 56% CO2e/kg. Incorporating Hercules Rope Yarn made from more than 95% post-consumer recycled waste reduces carbon emissions by an average of 30%.

The play equipment's platform decks are crafted from 75% post-consumer recycled waste using less energy-intensive manufacturing processes. By sourcing materials from within California, the project reduces transportation emissions and bolsters the state's local economy. This holistic approach towards sustainability ensures that every element of the playground reflects Lynwood's commitment to a greener, more eco-conscious future.

The playground design prioritizes minimal maintenance and anti-vandalism measures. Surface-mounted, powder-coated steel will be employed for all picnic tables and litter bins, ensuring durability and ease of upkeep. This choice enhances the longevity of these amenities and reduces the need for frequent maintenance, allowing for more efficient use of resources. To deter vandalism, an anti-graffiti coating is proposed for the concrete entry sign. This proactive approach will preserve the aesthetics and integrity of the playground's features, minimizing the impact of vandalism and ensuring that the space remains inviting and enjoyable for all visitors.

Beneath the vibrant play structures, a poured-in-place resilience surface will be made of 100% recycled tires for their SBR cushion layer. This recycled sub-base supports the colorful EPDM and TPV wear course surfaces, ensuring durability while also minimizing environmental impact.

Using 100% low-carbon, locally sourced concrete reduces embodied carbon while maintaining the same level of strength and performance as traditional concrete. Furthermore, the proposed 6,600 square feet of choice, engineered wood fiber crafted entirely from raw wood fiber will be used as one of the primary play surfacing options. This sustainable material enhances safety, promotes natural aesthetics, and supports eco-consciousness, embodying a holistic approach to sustainability and design excellence.

Overcoming Challenges through Civic Leadership
The idea and support for the Lynwood Mega-Playground came from generations of civic leadership at the city council level for securing funding and allocating staff resources to Mark Flores and his specific leadership in opening new parks and recreational opportunities for young minds.

With the civic resources in place, design development and constructability have been tightly coordinated by the team. Every step from site preparation to equipment delivery have been well organized and transparently communicated to both the City of Lynwood and the neighborhood stakeholders.