PLAYGROUND & LANDSCAPE By Emma Lou Sesar, Alex Sabo, Andrew Friedman

INTRO  We researched playgrounds around the world to SPARK our imagination. We found that the playgrounds in other countries were more accessible for everyone. Also, they were more innovative. Their playgrounds featured equipment in themes. There was a very cool playground in Germany where all equipment was in the theme of a safari. The playgrounds in Australia featured play structure not sold in America. We explored playgrounds in these countries and more giving us the perfect idea!!

RESEARCH  We decided we should ask the Kindergarten, First, and Second Graders what they would want in their dream playground. Some had great ideas, and some ideas just didn't make sense with our situation. We explored some of the more enticing ideas. We found that many students enjoyed climbing and playing either basketball or handball. Many students also would like to see glittery colored equipment. Some Kindergarten students requested a big water slide, a ladder, a tree house, an ice cream truck, monkey bars, swings, laser tag, a diving board, a spa, a snow cone machine and a video game truck. Some silly First Graders want a trampoline, a football field with the playground on the sidelines.

EQUIPMENT CHOICE  As we talked about the different equipment choices, we decided that we should definitely include a lot of ideas given to us by students because they are the age of the kids using our playground. We started to soak up all of this information: swirly slide, glitter, an ice cream truck...etc We started to plan OUR playground...We combined some of these crazy ideas with some more realistic ones. For example, we combined the idea of a swirly slide with glitter. And thus, a glittery swirly slide was born. We talked about different themes and decided not to have a theme. This way we wouldn't have to worry about picking out equipment that matched our theme. We need lots of climbing options. We researched nets, rock walls, and ladders. We also found that many students thought that spinning and twirling equipment was very enjoyable. We have chosen to include some structure that spins.

EQUIPMENT CHOICE CONT.  We will be adding both standing and sitting spinning objects. We will feature a handball and basketball court. Jump ropes and hula hoops will be accessible. We realize that we need to have options for everybody in this playground, not just athletic kids. Therefore, we are going to add what we saw so beautifully at "High Tech High," an amphitheater or little outdoor theater. This will help less active kids to have fun at recess as well. We have chosen to include two types of monkey bars: a set that stay in place and, a set that swings with you. We understand that many younger students adore the monkey bars and we feel it is mandatory for them to be in our playground. We are including swings of several fashions: a plastic tire swing, a regular tire swing, and also, some swings that you can just sit on normally.

LANDSCAPE & EDU  We placed fruit trees strategically around the yard bringing shade and fruit into our playground. We also added a vegetable garden. The students will harvest them when they are ripe and they will have the chance to make a feast in their cooking class. That way they will have the chance to try an array of fruits and vegetables. We added the fruit and veggie plants to teach the children at our school responsibilities...fruits and vegetables are living things, if you don't water them and give them the things they need, they will not survive.

WORKS CITED