Laserfiche WebLink
Figures 1-2: Nature -based play features at Pearson Park: (left to right) figure -eight stair <br />stepping logs; sand and artificial turf surfacing, scattered `tree cookies' <br />Another option to traditional playgrounds is converting parkland, including the former playground area, <br />into naturalized landscapes, providing a different type of valued outdoor amenity. <br />Tree forts are almost a rite of passage for children, like this one in the wooded area of Ford Brook Park, <br />or one below at Pearson Park manufactured from imported branches. <br />Ford Brook Park Pearson Park <br />Natural woods allow for the creation of lean-to's and stick forts as well as hide-n-seek games or self -guided <br />exploration of these shady enclaves. In other neighborhood parks, it may even be appropriate to simply <br />leave areas open, and available to make bicycle tracks in the soil with shovels and hand tools —another rite <br />of passage for many children. <br />At parks where the landscape is be to converted from playgrounds (or turf), there should be a plan for both <br />the conversion, but also the appropriate care and management which can be simple and less costly than some <br />maintenance intensive formal playgrounds. Regardless of the type of alternative landscape, these areas are <br />not to be left for weeds and invasive plants to become established —which can result in a degradation of the <br />park or adjoining private lands. <br />on <br />