Windshire Park Uses Natural Landscape As Inspiration For Design
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Located in Windsor, Colo., the Windshire neighborhood wanted to add a park that would stand out to the 30,000 residents that call the community home. The town has been experiencing exponential growth, so adding a public park seemed like a no-brainer.
That is when the city teamed with Go Play, Inc., a Milliken, Colorado-based recreation dealership, to create a site that makes the sense for the neighborhood. The city wanted a park that was inviting for all children and families. Go Play, Inc., alongside playground design company Superior Recreational Products, provided a natural design and color scheme to complement the surrounding Rocky Mountains.
“We tried to incorporate the beautiful landscape here by making it more of a transparent design, keeping the slides more on the back for the younger children and opening up the design with a lot of climbers for the older children,” says President of Go Play, Inc. Jennifer VanWormer. “That way while people are here enjoying the park, they can see the panoramic vista of the mountains and enjoy the green space that surround them.”
Natural components incorporated into the design were the Faux Log Steppers, Lily Pad Steps and Climber, and the Lily Pad Bridge.
“My favorite part about this particular design is that it is quite unique and innovative. It is a custom design and we’ve incorporated a lot of high decks and a lot of the new rope climbers. It just makes it a lot more fun and something new for the kids to experience,” VanWormer says.
To make the space inviting to families and children of all ages, two play structures were built. The first structure is for children between the ages of 2 to 5 years old and includes two treehouse roofs that shade them from the sun. Some of the components included in this structure are the Zig-Zag Balance Beam, Chute Slide, Bedrock Climber, Talk Tube, along with many activity panels.
The second playground structure is for children ages 5 to 12 years old. It includes several climbing components like a Deep Rung Arch Climber, a Mountain Climber, a Hex Net Climber, and many more. Multiple events are incorporated like the Wiggle Walk, Curved Trapeze Rings, and a Wheel Swinger along with several more. With a child capacity of 66, this structure promotes social play on the playground.
A 16-foot square metal shelter, multiple picnic tables, an outdoor grill, and several benches were also installed so parents and guardians can relax and socialize while still having full view of the playground.
“In designing a complete environment, especially in a green space or park environment, you’re looking to incorporate not only age-appropriate playground equipment, but things that offer shade so that people can sit comfortably,” VanWormer notes.
The natural landscape that surrounds the park inspired the different shades of green and brown that were chosen for the playgrounds. By using different tones of brown for the roofs and the ramps, it gives a treehouse illusion to the structure and complements the natural theme. Choosing a lighter green for a few components throughout the two playgrounds add excitement and visual appeal to the park.
The natural color scheme continued into the recreational amenities by choosing a rich green for the picnic tables that are located under the tan and green pavilion. Green benches are located in the middle of the park in between the two playground structures for additional seating. Including natural colors complement the surrounding green space and give an aesthetically pleasing look to this design.
“We feel like our products offered them a contemporary and innovative new experience to enhance the community even further,” VanWormer says. “We believe that Go Play Inc. as a partner of Superior Recreational Products really brings the community together.”