Whimsy and Adaptability in Spokane Valley's New Park
Design Concepts
Discovery Playground, a new park in Spokane Valley, Washington incorporates numerous whimsical and imaginative elements. Working with Beechwood Metalworks and Playtime Creations, we incorporated sculptures of life-size and oversized animals, fish, and flowers among the play and learning activities.
The park's Secret Garden with Objects of Unusual Size incorporates giant flowers designed and created by Casey Lewis of Beechwood Metalworks, Inc. (pictured at above), a pumpkin large enough to stand in (pictured below), and a chair twice normal size. The garden is entered by crouching through a small gateway that then reveals the giant objects inside.
The playground has been designed to accommodate children and adults of all abilities, and provide engaging and entertaining play as well as socialization and rehabilitation therapy opportunities. The bear den (shown above) provides a great resting place for those who may need quiet time. Additional elements such as interactive musical instrument coves, water play, climbing wall, colorful surfacing, sensory gardens and more are incorporated into the region’s first destination playground.
This project presented new challenges for all of those involved (the geology of Eastern Washington was new for us, and none of the local contractors had worked on a project as fanciful as this). With the enthusiasm of the community, contractors and the City, everyone is sharing in the vision of the project. We look forward to its completion in late November!
