Welcome!
The Highland Park Elementary School PTA is beginning a process to update the 2016 master plan, which resulted in the new net climber play area, boulder wall scramble, salmon fence-art mural, benches, rain garden, and garden boxes. The current play area also has a sport court area, an informal lawn, an amphitheater with garden boxes, a large existing chestnut tree, a covered basketball court area, and recently installed raingardens.
Upcoming Virtual Workshop
JOIN US for our last virtual workshop.
Thursday, June 10, 2021
4:00–5:00 p.m.
Currently, the play area is not open except for use by school and childcare due to COVID-19 restrictions but will hopefully open again soon.
Our second questionnaire is now closed. Check back on June 10, 2021, for another opportunity to provide your feedback in the next phase of the planning process.
You can still review the design concepts below, which are intended to show a range of options and are not exclusive of each other. In other words, we plan to mix and match the best features of each concept into a preferred concept plan.
A brief description of each concept is included, but for more detailed information about each concept design, we encourage you to view the recording of our May 6th virtual workshop.
Gather Concept
This concept emphasizes outdoor learning spaces, the garden box area, sensory planting nodes, and informal gathering spaces. The added natural spaces reduce the size of the blacktop and, as a result, the blacktop features several multi-sport spaces. Themes throughout the concept include encouraging learning opportunities, the use of natural materials, and celebrating culture and diversity in the Highland Park Neighborhood by integrating languages. These languages could be written throughout the space and use universal languages such as math and music.
Click on the green bars to learn more about the Gather Concept.
Gather Concept details and map
This concept includes a learning grove at the upper part of the amphitheater, which can be used during recess or for outdoor classroom spaces. A centrally located plaza, with seating, is located near the top of the amphitheater to improve visibility throughout the play area. The play equipment in this concept focuses on the use of natural materials and may include log-scramble-inspired equipment.
The blacktop striping adds recess games such as a map, sensory trail, and other playful elements. The blacktop also includes space for soccer, kickball, four square, basketball, and funnel ball.
Legend
1 Existing net climber
2 Amphitheater
3 Garden boxes
4 Rain garden(s)
5 Soccer / basketball
6 Basketball
7 Plaza with seating
8 Soccer/kickball
9 Learning grove
10 Play structure—log scramble
11 Feature / node
12 Four square
13 Funnel ball
Click image to enlarge.
Inspiring images of items that could be included in the Gather Concept
Learning
Garden boxes
Sensory trail
Outdoor classroom
Maps
Natural
Informal gathering spaces
Logs and boulders
Dry cobble swale
Log scramble play structure
Languages
Math
Languages painting
Math abacus
Music
Play Concept
This concept emphasizes the addition of play equipment and other playful elements throughout the existing lawn and blacktop spaces. The added play spaces reduce the size of the blacktop which now focuses on multi-sport spaces. Themes throughout the concept include obstacles and mazes, playful nature-inspired striping on the blacktop, and celebrating culture and diversity in the Highland Park Neighborhood with art.
Click on the gold bars to learn more about the Play Concept.
Play Concept details and map
This concept improves the open lawn space for informal play and gatherings. A centrally located plaza, with seating, is located near the top of the amphitheater to improve visibility throughout the play area. The play equipment in this concept features an obstacle course and one or two smaller play pieces such as spinners.
The two basketball posts outside the covered play-courts are removed and the blacktop striping focuses on adding recess games, such as a labyrinth or chess, and other playful elements. The blacktop also includes space for soccer, kickball, four-square, and funnel ball.
Legend
1 Existing net climber
2 Amphitheater
3 Garden boxes
4 Rain garden(s)
5 Labyrinth
6 Basketball
7 Plaza with seating
8 Soccer/kickball
9 Lawn space
10 Play structure—obstacle course
11 Feature / node(s)
12 Four square
13 Funnel ball
Click image to enlarge.
Inspiring images of items that could be included in the Play Concept
Obstacles
Obstacle course play structure
Labyrinth
Spiral game
Pretend traffic track
Nature
Pollinators and plants
Logs and boulders
Nature loop track
Animals
Art
Art in fences
Colorful garden boxes
Artist painting
Colorful blacktop paint
Active Concept
This concept emphasizes the active play spaces in the court and focuses on keeping as much of the existing blacktop as possible. The soccer and kickball areas have their own dedicated spaces and the basketball hoops could turn into “free throw practice areas” with new hoops. The blacktop also includes three funnel ball poles, a large maze, a sensory trail, and space for kids to create their own art.
Click on the blue bars to learn more about the Active Concept.
Active Concept details and map
Themes throughout the concept include expanding learning opportunities in the blacktop paint, a variety of sports and play activities, and the use of vibrant colors throughout the play area.
This concept improves the open lawn space for informal play and small gatherings. A centrally located plaza, with seating, is located near the top of the amphitheater to improve visibility throughout the play area. The play equipment space is smaller in this concept and includes a new climber with several slides and a merry-go-round spinner.
Legend
1 Existing net climber
2 Amphitheater
3 Garden boxes
4 Rain garden(s)
5 Kickball
6 Basketball
7 Plaza with seating
8 Soccer
9 Maze/kids’ art
10 Play structure—climber with slides
11 Feature / node
12 Four square/Basketball
13 Funnel ball
Click image to enlarge.
Inspiring images of items that could be included in the Active Concept
Learning
Solar system
Sundial
Maze
Rain garden
Activities
Multi-sports
Climber with slides
Basketball and court sports
Spinner
Vibrant Color
Colorful court paint
Colorful loop track
Kids’ art and painting
Colorful shade sails
Upcoming Virtual Workshop
JOIN US for our last virtual workshop.
Thursday, June 10, 2021
4:00–5:00 p.m.
Virtual Workshop Presentation Recording
If you missed our May 6 virtual workshop, view the recorded presentation here.
Feel free to contact Darin Reynaud Knapp at darinreynaud@gmail.com if you have any questions, or visit our website for more information on the master plan update project at https://www.facebook.com/highlandparkplays
