February 2016 - Parks & Recreation - 27

and metal equipment may have been
purchased for a playground in a forested setting simply because that was
the easiest or most common approach
to playground design. That equipment
can create a jarring disconnect with
the natural surroundings rather than
the physical and mental connection
to nature that the playground could
provide if designed as an extension of
the neighboring forest. The guidebook
provides examples of sites and playground components that " enhance
the forested context, " including natural materials such as timber, rope and
wood-fiber surfacing.
The visual transition of these playgrounds into their settings is a major
feature of the guidebook. Each of the
three context areas provides specific
considerations and suggestions for
transition areas. But, the book also
addresses the topic globally in its own
section, reinforcing the importance
of a consistent aesthetic throughout
a given park and the concept of borderless play. The transitional spaces
section presents considerations for
ground materials, landscape plantings, seating, fences (or lack thereof),
access points and other site features
and amenities.
Going Beyond the Norm
In addition to the three playground
categories, play areas that could be
incorporated within various settings
are also defined:
Landform playgrounds - These
play areas use sculpted topography
as a main play feature, whether it
already exists on-site (e.g., a large
hill) or can be designed into it (e.g.,
a berm or a field of small hills). The
guidebook describes - and shows
in example images - not only how
these landforms can be incorporated into a playground, but also what

kinds of play equipment can be integrated into them.
Outdoor expressions - These playgrounds or portions of them are focused on exploring visual, tactile and
social play that goes beyond the climbing, swinging and sliding of typical
playgrounds. Installations and equipment should engage the five senses,
including anything from musical " instruments " like slap pipes and dance
chimes, to moveable sculptures, and
sand and puzzle-building stations.
Another benefit of incorporating
these elements into a playground is
they do not always require safety surfacing, which helps keep costs down.
Ground plane - The surfacing of a
playground is a crucial part of its aesthetic and safety. In fact, for most play
areas, safety surfacing is required to
meet the impact attenuation requirements of equipment fall heights and
the entire fall zone. Various types of
surfacing, including artificial turf,
poured-in-place rubber, rubber mulch,
wood fiber and sand, and the pros,
cons and applicability of each to different types of playgrounds are discussed in the guidebook.
Fitness - One of the department's
goals is to provide opportunities for
everyone - no matter what age or
physical ability - to be active in
state parks. Centered on the idea
of " active design, " the guidebook
includes design ideas and equipment suggestions that can help get
the entire family active, whether
it's play areas for children, fitness
equipment for teens and adults or
walking trails for anyone. The goal
is not to become a Venice Beach-like
bodybuilding venue, but rather to
incorporate simple equipment that
is easy to use and easy to maintain
outdoors. While things like pull-up
bars and balance beams have been

included in park areas for years, a
growing trend is to include actual
fitness equipment - leg press, chest
press, elliptical machines - within
park settings to help raise the level
of activity. The guidebook highlights examples of these, as well as
product lines designed specifically
for seniors or people in wheelchairs.
Playgrounds in Action
Since the guidebook was completed,
New York State Parks has designed
three new playgrounds within Letchworth State Park south of Rochester
(which falls into the " woodland " category). The team was able to draw
inspiration from the book as well as
guidance from its implementation
section, which helped identify the
best sites for the new playgrounds
and considerations for the level of
play at each.
The department now aims to implement a statewide, multiyear play
area rehabilitation plan, using the
guidebook as motivation for regional
facilities managers.
" With the methodology and standard of quality the book has helped
us establish, we've been able to jumpstart the process and move a playground concept more quickly into
implementation, " says David Herring, capital facilities regional manager for the Genesee Region of New
York State Parks. " It's a tremendous
resource and tool for our department
that will help ensure visitors to our
beautiful state parks can experience
the physical, mental and social benefits of physical play. "
Gary Sorge, FASLA, is a Vice President at
Stantec and leader of the firm's landscape
architecture practice (gary.sorge@stantec.
com). Donna Walcavage, FASLA, is a
Principal and Landscape Architect, also at
Stantec (donna.walcavage@stantec.com).

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Parks & Recreation

February 2016 - Parks & Recreation

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