June 2022 - Parks & Recreation - 47

ability, gender, age or family status
- stems from our basic human
need to belong, " says Lindsey Peckinpaugh,
design team member and
principal and managing director of
the Chicago studio. Parks and Recreation
Superintendent Kathryn
Lozano adds, " The inclusive locker
rooms ensure privacy for every individual
and safety for all. "
The center's inclusive restrooms
and locker rooms are designed to
be used by all members and visitors
and are the first of their kind in the
state. When the Wellness Center
opened to the public, there was a
period of adjustment for users. The
park and recreation department
continues to provide orientations,
and answers questions regarding
the design and use of the facilities.
" The biggest obstacle to overcome
was educating the public on the inclusive
model used in the restroom and
shower facilities, " says Noe. " Once
people begin to understand the model
and the benefits, more and more individuals
[will] embrace the design. "
Adapting to the facility flow and
operation was challenging for some,
but the non-binary restroom facilities
won over community members and
continues to be broadly supported.
Operationally, the layout makes it
far easier to clean and change single
rooms at a time without disturbing
guests using the private areas of
the facilities. " This feature became
very important during the [coronavirus]
(COVID-19) pandemic, " says
Lozano. Initial community surveys
post-occupancy found strong support
for the inclusive restrooms and lockers,
citing ease of use, clearly-marked
signage and security measures, and,
more broadly, as one community
member notes, " a symbol of appreciation
for all. " According to another
community member: " By changing
the way that the bathroom facilities
are addressed, it doesn't feel like a
special effort was made to include
or exclude anyone. Instead, the way
everyone utilizes the space leaves no
reason for gender to be a factor. "
Inclusive Amenities
Designing around inclusivity didn't
start and stop at the locker room
and restroom facilities. Principles of
Universal Design - the practice of
creating environments that can be
experienced in the same way by the
greatest number of people possible,
regardless of ability or background
- were employed throughout the
facility.
These
measures
include
clear wayfinding, an indoor childwatch
area, enhanced accessibility,
and wider doors for sport wheelchairs.
The pool provides multiple
accessible entry points to accommodate
different users' preferences:
a chair lift, steps and railing, and
zero-depth entry. Ramps connect
different depth areas of the pool as
well. These small differences allow
community members with different
abilities the opportunity to use and
experience the facility in the same
manner leading to less stress and increased
overall well-being.
Sweeping views from one end of
the building to another, direct access
to outdoor patios and terraces, and
multipurpose community and fitness
spaces designed for flexibility - from
youth camps to senior fitness classes
and social events - all are designed
to encourage participation and community
engagement.
Improving
wellness
in many communities is
about improving awareness and access.
Making users feel welcome and
comfortable at parks and facilities is
critical to park and recreation departments'
missions everywhere.
Key Takeaways
A key lesson from the community
planning and design of the West
Lafayette Wellness Center is the
role such centers can play in bringing
people from a wider spectrum
of life together, promoting social
cohesion and resilience within our
communities - an especially important
aspect now given the lessons
learned from the COVID-19
pandemic. After a prolonged time
of social isolation, we understand
just how important these spaces are
and how especially important they
are to sensitive groups within our
communities.
" This
is
an
all-encompassing
wellness and recreation center that
is instantly welcoming, bright and
open, and unique to this community, "
says Noe.
In fact, park districts and park departments
from Indiana and neighboring
states continue to tour the
facility to see the building in action.
Others also are choosing to explore
inclusive designs for their restroom
and locker facilities, as is the Park
District of Oak Park's Community
Recreation Center, which is currently
under construction. " It's our
belief that we are on the cutting
edge of a process that will quickly
become the norm of public facility
design going forward, " says Noe.
" Inclusion is an issue that affects
everyone and covers a variety of
different individuals. By building an
inclusive facility, City of West Lafayette
shows that it cares about its
citizens and takes into account the
privacy of members and guests. "
To hear Brent Ross and Dylan
Fischer speak more about the West
Lafayette Wellness Center, tune in to
the June bonus episode of Open Space
Radio at nrpa.org/June2022Bonus
Episode.
Brent Ross is Recreation and Entertainment Practice Leader at
Perkins&Will (brent.ross@perkinswill.com). Dylan Fischer is
Project Architect at Perkins&Will (dylan.fischer@perkinswill.com).
PARK S ANDRECRE AT ION . OR G | JUNE 2 0 22 | Parks & Recreation
47
http://www.nrpa.org/June2022BonusEpisode http://www.nrpa.org/June2022BonusEpisode
June 2022 - Parks & Recreation

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