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Best regards
Zmags
Creating & Retrofitting
Play Environments
BEST PRACTICE GUIDELINES
The Natural Learning Initiative
College of Design, NC State University
Designing Play Environments that
Integrate Manufactured Play Equipment
with the Living Landscape
© 2009 PlayCore, Inc.
and Natural Learning Initiative,
College of Design, NC State University.
NatureGrounds and Putting Nature Into Play
are trademarks of PlayCore.
Proudly Sponsored By:
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Research, documentation, and manuscript
preparation by the Natural Learning Initiative:
Robin Moore, Dipl.Arch., MCP, ASLA, Director
Nilda Cosco, PhD, Education Specialist
Julie Sherk, MLA, RLA, ASLA, Landscape Architect
Brad Bieber, MLA, Design Associate
Shirley Varela, BA, Project Coordinator
Nataliya Gurina, graduate student assistant
Heather Vicke
Creating & Retrofitting Play Envir
© 2009 PlayCore, Inc. and Natural Learning Initia
TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction
INTRODUCTION Bringing nature back into children'
A PLAYGROUND PARADIGM SHIFT The industrial play
· Users of all abilities discover a wider range o
· Plants respond to seasonal change and add novel
· Deeper emotional attachment to nature and incre
· Enhances self-esteem, self-confidence, independ
Due to the naturalization and social atmosphere,
BEST PRACTICE DESIGN PRINCIPLES FOR INTEGRATING M
Surface drainage and wetlands · Ensure well-desi
Orientation in relation to the sun · Locate manu
· Consider comfortable, universally designed sett
· In addition to accommodating special events, mu
· Pathways function as the social arteries of pla
Integrate planting pockets · Identify opportunit
Sand play settings should be designed to be acces
Wood mulch is a highly versatile ground surface m
PLANTING POCKETS AND PHASED NATURALIZATION Plant
· A planting pocket designed for shrubs and grass
Application of planting pocket criteria and plant
Single composite play structure and use zone phas
N Phase Two: Additional evergreen trees on the
Multiple play structures and use zone phased natu
N Phase Two: Additional deciduous and evergreen
PLAYGROUND PLANTING PRINCIPLES FOR LONG TERM SUCC
The richly planted border enclosing this playgrou
The NatureGrounds on-line, searchable plant selec
Planting success: Prepare and care for plants En
AB D Tree planting steps: · Check
· Install a 3-to-8-ft diameter area of mulch arou
· Regardless of irrigation system, hose bibs shou
PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION: NEW CONSTRUCTION AND RETR
Create a playground master plan. For both parks a
Choose site furnishings. Consider locations of tr
PROJECT SUSTAINABILITY The taskforce or individu
· Volunteer recruitment can be motivated by the u
RESOURCES NatureGrounds website The NatureGround
Useful books and publications American Society fo
CALL TO ACTION! Children today (and by implicat
GLOSSARY OF TERMS Annual plant — a plant that u
Multicultural — events or programs that serve the
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