Top 10 Playgrounds

Landscaping has always been important to people, even if it was not clearly defined at first or properly worked out exactly how it influences us. But it has definitely shaped us through the different environments that we encountered and grew up in. That is why today more and more thought is given to the world in which children grow up. They are like sponges that gather up all information and influences around them, and by creating the right environment through landscaping means along with the social factors, they may grow up to be upstanding, balanced and beautiful people. And were to apply there principals if not in the most important environment of the early stages of growing up: the playground!

 

Creating the ideal modern playground does require mainly architectural principals, but the great need is for social, spatial and safety solutions so that the kids are surrounded by positive influences which shape them in their never ending and most important act of play. Of course, it is debatable which playground design passes all there hurdles, but we’ll try to make a competent top ten which shows great architecture as well as children-friendly environments.

No.10 Panther Playground

This realistic wood fortress stands in a beautiful memorial park in old Quakertown. The complex structure shows that wood as a material still holds importance in kids’ everyday play endeavours. With towering view points, mazes and bridges of all shapes and sizes, Panther offers all that a child’s mind can conjure in the world of dragons and princesses.

Panther’s Playground

No.9 St. Kilda Adventure Playground

Australians love their environment and they incorporate it in everything, and this oceanic themed park proves it. The huge expanse makes use of the coastal spot for mazes, ship wrecks and other wooden features that little people just love to explore. Of course, the semiarid area sits in communion with the planned play spaces, thus plants and trees abound.

St. Kilda’s Adventure Playground, Melbourne Australia

No.8 Alexander W. Kemp Playground

A unique space, this play area near Boston shows how combining everything works for the best. The equipment promotes practicing sports for toddlers, treasure hunts for adventure, creativity and social games for a greater interaction and links to nature for a more educational play experience. This park is suited for any child, no matter their fun preferences.

Alexander W. Kemp Playground

No. 7 Boadilla del Monte Playground

Moving on to more complex parks, this one in Spain was designed by professional architects with the sole purpose of inspiring children’s imagination with regards to architecture. The airy space and dramatic shapes will leave any little mind wondering and yearning to create for himself. While providing a thoughtful area for play activities, this playground is bound to be responsible for producing some budding landscape architects!

Boadilla del Monte Playground

No.6 Kellogg Park Eco-Playground

We find an ecological way of going about things in this New Orleans mini park. The main ideas here are nature, ecology and sustainable education methods. With features powered by solar panels and shiny surfaces; while surrounded with green areas to balance it all out ; this playground is a great place for kids with a spark.

Kellogg Park

No.5 Zabeel Technology Park

In the present science age, it is inevitable that a tech themed park would surface at one point or another and what better place than fast rising Dubai. Technology is the name of the game here, where kids have a solar system maze and numerous exhibits curating for eco energy solutions and future science features. Education and play go hand in hand.

No.4 Falkestone Lower Leas Coastal Park

This old-school playground is set in beautiful Kent surrounded by the inspiring and serene English countryside. If the seaside alone wouldn’t thrill your kid to bits, this huge area has sand pits, slides, pirate ships, high walkways and all that a young heart would desire. Landscaping is taken into consideration in many areas of the park, while a zoological zone is also open for visitors. In the summer, children are not short of activities as the park has an extensive programme.

Falkestone Lower Leas Coastal Park

No.3 Imagination Playground in a BOX

Ever thought about letting your kid build his own play area according to his tastes and imagination? Well, Imagination playgrounds have prospected that idea and have come up with a park where children have moveable parts and objects at their disposal to actually build a play zone, just like Lego. It they get bored with it, they can take it down and start from scratch again. These parks tap into a child’s imagination, problem solving skills and may just spark an interest for building and designing.

Imagination Playground in a BOX

No.2 The Fruit and Scent Playground

Got fruit? Parents in Sweden think that stimulating their kids through visual playgrounds makes for an efficient food education basis. That is why this one has every play feature shaped and coloured like a fruit. Be it a banana slide, an orange walkway or a plum mini house, the park offers unique fun with an educational twist. This is a great example of playground landscaping which influences children in a positive way.

The Fruit and Scent Playground

No.1 Teardrop Park

And yes, New-Yorkers take the gong with this detailed and carefully crafted jewel meant to bring out the geographer in your little one. Situated in the city, this playground perfectly combines rocky areas with greenery zones to bring kids secret paths, geological formations to study, sand pits, slides, water areas and just all round natural feeling play features. Your children will feel like they are on a different planet and will make tantrums over leaving.

Tear drop Park

Whether it is a classic park or a modern park, landscaping has always played a big role in the design of playgrounds especially in regard to stimulating imagination, social skills and all around fun activities for children of all ages. And truthfully, could you as an adult resist not goofing around for a bit in some of the above?

Article Written by  Oana Anghelache