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Introduction
NatureGrounds Demonstration Sites serve as leaders in nature
play initiatives and in the creation of innovative play environments
that integrate manufactured play equipment with the living landscape.
The following galleries show how school and park playgrounds have
successfully implemented best practice principles for designing
naturalized play environments that benefit children’s play and engage
communities in working together to revalue the importance of children’s
outdoor play and engagement with nature. Each project exemplifies Phase
I, II, or III, showing different levels of naturalization.
Demonstration Site information is updated regularly as playground
projects implementing research-based naturalization best practice are
developed across the nation.
To learn more about participating in this program as a model
Demonstration Site please contact info@naturegrounds.org.
Phase Key
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Phase I: Large and/or medium deciduous and/or evergreen
shade trees are strategically planted to offer visual (seasonal or
year-round) interest, playground identity, and functional shade to play
settings. Preservation of existing trees as well as the addition of
hardy natives is encouraged.
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Phase II: In addition to Phase I tree plantings,
additional large and/or medium deciduous and/or evergreen shade trees
are strategically planted to offer denser visual (seasonal or
year-round) interest, playground identity, and functional shade to
equipment and gathering areas. Shrubs are included for ground level
interest and complexity.
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Phase III: In addition to Phase I and Phase II levels
of trees and shrubs, Phase III includes substantial deciduous and
evergreen shrub planting and large decorative grasses installed for
ground level interest and complexity through strategically placed
planting pockets.
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Lake Winnepesaukah
Rossville, GA
The Stay & Play Hideaway playground opened in Spring 2008
at Lake Winnepesaukah, a family-owned amusement park founded in 1925 in
northern Georgia. The park features rides, games, and events for the
entire family. The large naturalized, family fun playground provides a
place to relax and enjoy the shade. The universally designed play
structure meets the seven principles of inclusive design, offers
sensory-rich ground level activities, including water features, and
employed recycled materials in its construction. Responding to the
planning committee’s desire to create a playground that integrated the
living landscape with manufactured play equipment, GameTime™ designed a
play environment to sit among the many historic trees, making nature
integral to the play experience. The natural color palette of the
equipment, its close proximity to an existing stream, shade trees, and
ample social areas create the perfect setting where families can
gather, recoup, and enjoy an exciting play experience together in
nature. The addition of this playground has increased traffic to the
park and expanded the available activities and programs for people of
all ages and abilities.
Featured Best Practice Principles:
- Mature trees preserved as site assets, offering shade and
aesthetic quality.
- Manufactured playground equipment designed around and
located close to large deciduous shade trees.
- A multigenerational, inclusive environment that brings
families together.
- Designed to promote physical activity and active play
settings.
- Designed to maximize active, social, and sensory play
opportunities along a developmental continuum.
- Designed to promote sun protection.
- Includes water for cooling and hands-on water play.
- Includes socio-dramatic play settings and social gathering
areas.
- Designed for community special events and additional
programming efforts.
For more information visit www.lakewinnie.com or www.gametime.com.
Lake Winnepesaukah
1739 Lakeview Dr.
Rossville, GA 30741
(706) 866-5681
Green Meadow Elementary School
East Greenbush, NY
The playground at Green Meadow Elementary School was
implemented in two phases (2005 and 2006) to bring nature into the
outdoor play environment by utilizing existing topography and trees. As
part of the design process, site planners used a Global Positioning
System (GPS) to map the existing natural assets to conserve them.
GameTime™ then planned the playground around these natural site
features to enhance the aesthetic quality and to increase
socio-dramatic play opportunities for students. The playground includes
a landscaped berm to lift the accessible route to the play structure.
Planting pockets and existing vegetation are integrated with
manufactured equipment such as swings. Social seating offers color,
texture, and smell for a rich multi-sensory experience. This joint use
universally designed playground serves a nearby school for children
with disabilities. The donor bricks and dedication plaque attached to
the boulder alongside the hillside berm recognize funding sources and
contributors to this unique project. The parent organization at the
school engages members to volunteer time to help maintain their
valuable resource.
Featured Best Practice Principles:
- Playground is located within easy walking distance via
accessible routes to parking area, school building, and facilities.
- Entrances, pathways, and boundaries help organize design
components and network the play environment.
- Topographical variation was conserved as an important site
feature.
- Mature trees preserved as a site asset, offer natural shade
and aesthetic quality.
- Manufactured playground equipment is located close to large
deciduous shade trees.
- Designed for children of all abilities.
- Designed to maximize active, social, and sensory play
opportunities along a developmental continuum.
- Multi-use lawns and open space support ball play, group
play, and social interaction.
- Areas are designed to promote outdoor education and
curriculum programming.
- Includes socio-dramatic play settings and social gathering
areas.
- Planting pockets are integrated as close as possible to
manufactured play equipment, while still honoring appropriate use zones.
- Child-friendly, high value plants provide color, texture,
and fragrance to the play space for a multi-sensory experience.
- Implementation included a committee to help plan, design,
execute, maintain, and help fund the project.
For more information visit www.gametime.com.
Can-Do Playground
Wilmington, DE
The Can-Do Playground was built in 2007 as a place for
children of all abilities to join in the fun with friends and family in
imaginative, interactive, socio-dramatic play. This demonstration site
implemented best practice principles featuring an enhanced entry
experience along an accessible pathway with hardy, child-friendly
plants, an adventure garden with mazes and games, an accessible sand
play area, natural and manufactured shade, and planting pockets
throughout to enhance the play experience. Located in Alapocas Run
State Park, Can-Do Playground was the first of its kind in Delaware and
was developed in conjunction with the National Center for Boundless
Playgrounds™ and GameTime™, leaders in the creation of universally
designed playgrounds, where children of all abilities can play,
socialize, and have fun together.
The playful sculpture that greets visitors to the Can-Do
Playground was created by a local artist (supported by a grant from the
Delaware Division of the Arts) from a 9.5-ton boulder of Brandywine
granite that he found on the surrounding park grounds.
Six Wilmington Area Rotary clubs raised funds, oversaw the
design, and developed and constructed the playground. They
received the Access Wilmington Agency Award for their commitment to
expanding opportunities for Wilmington residents, workers, and visitors
with disabilities. Delaware Division of Parks and Recreation provided
the land and completed site preparation. The playground design
committee included landscape professionals, volunteers, fundraisers,
public relations coordinators, sponsors, and developers.
Featured Best Practice Principles:
- Playground is located within easy walking distance via
accessible routes to parking area, pathways, and important community
facilities.
- Entrances, pathways, and boundaries help organize design
components, network the play environment, and offer a message about
commitment to naturalization.
- Child-friendly, high play value plants create planting
pockets, natural boundaries, and enhance pathway aesthetics.
- Mature trees are preserved as site assets, offering natural
shade and aesthetic quality.
- Manufactured playground equipment is located close to large
deciduous shade trees.
- Designed as a multigenerational, inclusive environment that
brings families together.
- Designed to maximize active, social, and sensory play
opportunities along a developmental continuum.
- Sand play settings accommodate a wide range of users.
- Appropriate ground surfaces for naturalization, safety,
accessibility, and play value are utilized.
- Includes socio-dramatic play settings and social gathering
areas.
- Child-friendly, high value plants provide color, texture,
and fragrance to the play space for a multi-sensory experience.
- Implementation included a committee to help plan, design,
execute, maintain, and help fund the project.
For more information visit: www.candoplayground.org
or www.gametime.com.
Can-Do Playground
4361 Weldin Road
Wilmington, DE 19803
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“Nature should be considered a critical variable in the design of all
childhood habitats, including homes, childcare centers, schools, places
of worship, and neighborhoods, and in the many other community places
where children go with family and friends: botanical gardens, museums,
city parks, etc.”
- Robin Moore, Director of the Natural Learning Initiative
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