Family and Children’s Services – Elora
Earthartist Planning and Design contracted by Family and Children’s Services to design and construct a second visitation playground for their Elora field office. The site was very small and the budget was limited. The design needed to reuse an existing concrete pad as well as existing armour stone boulders on site. In addition to providing opportunities for play and visitation, the area also needed to provide a separate area for staff.
Design development included full staff participation and close involvement by early childhood care workers to create a place where children and parents could develop closer social bonds. The design provides privacy, security and integrated a variety of elements for children and youth.
The project design successfully utilized existing materials to create a solution on budget and on time.
- Key Challenge: The site had a southwest exposure and was hot and sunny. The design need to feel respectful and welcoming.
- Best Feature: The creative reuse of boulders on the site created flexible programming and permitted the space to be used for a wide range of both passive and active activities.