UPDATE (July 2021): The park is now public! Read our project post to learn more about the underlying design decisions and how we worked with Stantec and Dream to bring this park to life.
We are excited to work with Stantec and Dream Developments on the design and build of Brighton Core Park, a large 23-acre park in Saskatoon designed to represent inclusion in play and community, with something for everyone. As we break first ground on the build of this project, we couldn't wait to share a little sneak peek at what this park will include when the installation is complete in 2020!
Brighton Core Park is designed to truly represent inclusion in play by having something for everyone. Providing a variety of multi-generational activities, this park will be a destination where the entire family and community can play, relax and connect.
Once complete, it will be registered as a National Demonstration Site because the park has been holistically designed to incorporate the five developmental benefits of inclusive play throughout the grounds, focusing on:
- Physical Benefits: creating gross and fine motor development
- Cognitive Benefits: facilitating problem-solving, abstract thinking and learning
- Communication Benefits: exploring expressive, receptive, pragmatic language
- Social-Emotional Benefits: encouraging interaction, cooperation and self-confidence
- Sensory Benefits: developing sight, touch, smell, hearing, vestibular and proprioception
These benefits are integrated throughout the different play areas which include:
Spray Park – The spray park offers fully accessible spray features plus a dry zone plaza for seating (or picnic-ing!). The spray park will have activators that provide varied spray patterns to engage participants individually and group play for all ages 0 – 99 years of age.
Challenge Course – The Challenge Course is designed to engage teens and adults with challenging and friendly competitive play and to help further their fitness routines. The course is surfaced with artificial turf to mimic the field of play of a sports field as well as being easily accessible for those with physical disabilities. Many of the obstacles in the challenge course can be utilized by those with a variety of disabilities to support the five developmental benefits. Alongside the course will be a plaza area where spectators can watch from the benches or shaded picnic tables. The plaza will include an event or notice board to help to showcase the community events, available to all.
Play Equipment – This large triple-action play area offers unlimited options for inclusive and creative play. Constructed using a system of ramps and decks, the play equipment is largely accessible to all with mobility challenges while remaining challenging for those without disabilities. A variety of sensors that add visual, tactile, and auditory stimulation are also strategically placed at heights that are easily accessed by those in mobility devices. For additional sensory stimulation, sun shades will cast color shadows onto the surface when the sun shines through them. Educational panels throughout the space will focus on nature and specifically some of the flowers that can be found in our native prairie landscape. Throughout, the play area promotes independent and creative play by all ages and abilities, while working on all five development benefits - this will become the first public inclusive playground design in Saskatoon.
The play equipment area is surfaced with a poured-in-place rubber that is easy to use for children in mobility devices independently of the help of their caregivers. The play surface also feature a variety of sizes and shapes of bumps that all to explore their creative side whether on bicycles or mobility devices.
A large plaza space will surround the play area, allowing room for seating, picnic tables, bike racks and free movement around the area.
Outdoor Amphitheater – The amphitheater will be fully accessible by pathways to the stage area, as well as dedicated seating areas at the top of the Amphitheatre for those with mobility challenges. The amphitheater offers a cultural and artistic outlet for the community regardless of age or abilities. An event or notice board will be located in the plaza, showcasing the communities events and will accessible to all.
Boardwalk – The boardwalk will extend from the amphitheater down a peninsula to take in the natural viewpoints and sounds of the pond, and will be fully accessible to all ages and abilities. All grades are kept under 5% to meet accessibility guidelines and the sides have open railing that will protect all from the edge while allowing those in mobility devices a viewpoint.
Pathways and Plaza Space – Brighton Core Park has an extensive pathway system that connects all of the site amenities throughout the park via asphalt pathways and concrete plazas. This helps develop a sense of independence for users of all ages and abilities while retaining the sense of community and connectedness throughout. The only site amenities that are not accessed off of a pathway are the future hockey rink, toboggan hill, and hill slide, though a pathway may be added by the community association to the hockey rink at a future date.
Designed for all abilities and all ages, Brighton Core Park will become a hub within the community. We’re excited for the official launch in 2020 - stay tuned!
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