Mid-Century Playgrounds – Imaginative Fun

On October 28, 2013November 23, 2017 By Alice WebbIn Historic Preservation, Parks, Playgrounds1 Comment

Starting in the 1950s and extending into the ‘70s, playground design took a creative turn, away from the galvanized steel structures of yore. Instead of specifying manufactured pieces, designers began to customize entire play areas. Concrete, brick, and other hard materials were used extensively. Several playgrounds built in this style can be found in Central Park, New York City, (photos below). Some of these have been upgraded, maintaining the integrity of the original designs, while complying with today’s safety standards. I like the sculptural qualities and connectivity of the climbers and other features, in addition to the water play areas incorporated in several of the playgrounds. However, I found the spaces to be rather cold and drab in appearance. In my opinion, interspersing some low- and mid-sized plant materials throughout these playgrounds, (not just along the perimeters), would turn them into more inviting spaces and add play value to the sites.

Ancient Playground in Central Park, NYC, next to the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Adventure Playground in Central Park, NYC

Water play in the Adventure Playground

Hecksher Playground in Central Park, NYC

Hecksher Playground in Central Park (water play section)

Photos by Alice Webb

Teardrop Park – Nature in the City

On August 21, 2012November 23, 2017 By Alice WebbIn Parks, Playgrounds3 Comments

During a recent trip to lower Manhattan in NYC, I had the opportunity to visit Teardrop Park. This little urban oasis in the Battery Park City neighborhood is situated between several high-rise residential buildings. It includes natural play areas in its southern half, and lawns and walkways to the north.

Much of the park was designed to represent a northeast forest environment, with rock outcrops, rolling hills, and lush (mostly native) vegetation. One of its prominent features is a vertical wall of stacked bluestone, arranged to resemble natural rock strata. This design includes water seepage through a section of the wall, forming icicles in winter.

In the middle of the children’s play area, a long slide is anchored into a rocky hillside and terminates in a large sand area. Nearby, there is a small sand play area for pre-school children, in addition to a water play zone for kids of all ages. Children and adults alike can also explore a wetland play path, where I observed a number of birds during my visit.

The sloping lawns to the north of the play areas are pleasant spaces for relaxation, and include several seating areas along the perimeter. There are also some more isolated seating/gathering spots along paths throughout the park. Despite the secluded nature of those areas, I felt very safe while there.

I was at the park on a Tuesday morning, so it was not packed with visitors. I would imagine that it attracts a lot more users during weekends and summer evenings, especially residents of the surrounding high-rises. The park provides many opportunities for imaginative play for kids, and serves as a pleasant environment for all.

Hillside slide with rock steps and overlook

Pre-school sand play area

Water play area

Wildlife in the water play area – the robin and the littlest boy are color-coordinated!

A seating area above the water play zone

Rock wall resembling natural strata

Portal through the rock wall

South (back) side of the rock wall portal

People relaxing in one of the lawn areas

The northern-most lawn area slopes toward the south to take advantage of the sun.

A small nook for imaginative play at one end of the wetland path

Photos by Alice Webb

Pier 6 Playground at Brooklyn Bridge Park

On April 23, 2012November 23, 2017 By Alice WebbIn Parks, Playgrounds1 Comment

Early in the spring, I visited a creatively-designed playground at the Pier 6 section of Brooklyn Bridge Park in New York City. The day of my visit was unseasonably warm, so the playground was swarming with people. This play area is divided in several zones: an active area for school-age children with slides and climbers; a sand area for younger children with small climbing sculptures, play houses, and other elements; an area featuring numerous swing-sets situated between small hills; a water play area; and a natural vegetated area. I was pleased to see that much of the playground includes lots of plants – great for play, shade, and beauty!

A play structure and stepped seating are included in the school-age children’s zone, which is called Slide Mountain.

This is the longest of several slides located in Slide Mountain.

Play sculptures and wooden seating areas in Sandbox Village

Interactive play piece in Sandbox Village

Kids enjoy wooden play houses and other fun features

One of several swing-sets in Swing Valley

Swing Valley includes grassy hills along the walkways.

Unique water devices in The Water Lab (closed for the winter)

Another view of The Water Lab (closed for winter)

This natural area, which includes several paths and seating areas, is rather isolated from the other play zones. Very few people were visiting it when I was there. Fencing off the vegetated areas from access makes it less inviting to children also.

Photos by Alice Webb

Creative Features for Playgrounds

On September 1, 2011November 23, 2017 By Alice WebbIn Parks, PlaygroundsLeave a comment

A children’s playground doesn’t have to be a boring flat area of safety surfacing with a couple of climbing structures plopped the middle. Interesting elements can be included that don’t add a lot to the cost of the project. Below are examples of a few fun features that enhance play environments by providing more of a variety of activities, fostering creative play, and adding visual appeal.

Two-dimensional brick/turf maze (Dunham Park, Cary, NC)