Play Area for Boston’s Esplanade

The Boston Globe is reporting today about a project I worked on a month or so ago, for Halvorson Design of Boston.

Proposed Play Area for the Esplanade, Boston; designed by Halvorson Design Partnership, Landscape Architects

Friends of the Esplanade Playspace, a Beacon Hill parents’ group, is seeking to raise $1.5 million to build a 10,000 square foot playground designed for children from 5 to 12 years of age. The proposed location  is west of the Arthur Fiedler Footbridge, near the Esplanade Cafe.

Climbing and play structures are designed for older children, ages 5 to 12, and are generally more physically challenging than traditional playground equipment which is often geared toward younger children and toddlers.

An enlarged detail (1x2 inches in the original)

Mayor Thomas Menino and the State Department of Conservation and Recreation both have registered their support for the project.  The project still needs approval. though, from the Massachusetts Historical Commission.

An enlarged partial detail (one inch by three inches tall) of proposed climbing structures placed in among existing mature trees on the site.

The Friends of the Esplanade Playspace  are privately funding the project, and plan to establish an endowment fund for its maintenance and perpetual care.

Throughout the play space, climbing rocks of various sizes, with hand and footholds, will test the abilities of older children

There will be climbing rocks of various sizes (complete with foot and hand-holds), positioned throughout the play space, on a fall-friendly play surface.

More information may be found here: Friends of the Esplanade Playspace