The Crestwood Board of Aldermen heard updates on the Proposition A Nature Playscape project at its Jan. 28 meeting. 

As the playscape is nature-centred, the plan is to incorporate natural elements such as logs and wood into the play equipment. Derek Don, a landscape architect with DG2 Design – the architecture firm working with Crestwood on the project – started the presentation by emphasizing that though natural components will be used, they will come from manufacturers that implement ASTM testing to ensure quality and safety. 

He next explained that the nature playscape will occupy two levels – the upper level blanketed in artificial turf, making it accessible to all, and the lower level covered in “wood-engineered fiber” similar to the typical wood mulch at most playgrounds. With the city’s allocated budget of approximately $300,000, it was not feasible for turf to be installed on both levels due to its steep price of “$30 to $35 dollars for a foot install.” 

“That first play area would be … fully accessible so kids that are not fully able-bodied can play right next to their (sibling) who can run and climb. There’s ways that a wheelchair or walker could come in on an accessible path, be on turf and actually get to some of the play equipment that would be fully accessible, too,” Don said.

Before revealing the selected playground items, Don went over how they were chosen. 

“We looked at different elements of play, whether it’s balance, fine motor skills, socialization, and even some pieces where maybe one kid could kind of play by themselves and make believe and have some quiet spaces and some hiding spaces. We tried to pick a variety of different play equipment,” he explained.

Fourteen items embodying just that were presented to Crestwood community members through surveys and open houses throughout December. Approximately 100 people participated, each choosing their top five pieces of playground equipment. 

After totaling up community members’ votes and ensuring that no two play equipment pieces were too similar, the city decided on seven items: the hillside slide, the bird nest swing, the wobble bridge, the signal peak (climber), the climbing net, the woodland fort and the mini arch. Each item received at least 37 votes. 

Don then showed a rendering of the playscape with each play equipment piece placed far enough from one another based on fall zones.

“Fall zones can not overlap,” Don said. “They need to be individually unique so that it meets all the fall safety (requirements), which is basically the height of how far somebody could go and how far they can jump. The swing has a bigger sort of footprint, if somebody gets swinging and kind of jumps off the swing, everybody’s going to stay safe.” 

As far as next steps, the city will purchase the aforementioned equipment and hire installers, though this will not be done for some time. The anticipated completion date is fall 2026.

“We have to coordinate the purchase properly so that the equipment is here when it is time to install, but not so early that it sits for months while the warranty begins. The new community center and grading of the grounds around the new facility will be close to completion before the playground gets installed,” Crestwood’s director of parks and recreation, Eilien Ramirez, said.

“The creation of a nature playscape at Whitecliff Park continues our work to fulfill the mission of Proposition A, which voters approved in April 2024. The nature playscape will be an exciting addition to the park, and will complement the new community center, creating a fun and inclusive place for families,” City Administrator Kris Simpson added.