MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE
This playground, designed for a private girls' school, is dedicated to the
belief that play is the serious work of childhood and that it is one of
the most important ways in which young children learn. The design of
the playground responds to the different recreational needs of students of
varying ages and levels of physical development and accommodates a variety
of outdoor learning opportunities.
The east side of the playground is designed for younger students, while the west side provides for basketball, soccer, track, and other active sports associated with older students' needs. The east side also accommodates both active and passive activities. Equipment for active play such as climbing, sliding, and swinging is separated from places where more passive activities occur, such as an amphitheater, seating areas, and covered pavilion. For increased safety, active play areas are surfaced with a special impact-absorptive resilient material and all play equipment is surrounded by a wide "safety zone" to reduce the possibility of accidents.
The overall organization of the playground is asymmetrical and fluid so as to foster exploration, creativity, and learning. The completed project was dedicated in 1999.