Reply To: Playground Redesign

[david maynes]

Check out Rusty Keeler out of Ithaca NY (Earthplay) He specializes in natural playscapes and has an interesting ethos regarding implementation and construction…very community outreach based. Nature-based playscapes are typically much cheaper and often times able to avoid the fall height regs and surface material requirements.

Here in Newfoundland, there’s been a big push to go this route. A client (daycare operator) implemented some of the design I did for her, while maintaining the traditional playground stuff. The traditional stuff is ignored. Kids much prefer to climb around, run…go to a dream world they create, not a predetermined plastic and metal creative void.

A good book that gets into the research on the benefits of this type of outdoor creative learning environment is ‘Last Child in the Woods’. 

Good luck!