Playgrounds for the Ages

Playgrounds aren’t just for kids anymore!  Gone are the playgrounds of yesteryear …





They are OUT with the old. 

Here is what is IN with the new …

Playgrounds for all ages.  The new trend in playground design is the creation of MULTI-generational facilities that will accommodate seniors as well as children and everyone in-between.



Fun for all ages!



Playgrounds today are designed to be ACCESSIBLE to everyone.  Double-wide ramps and handrails allow just about any person to enter and play.



Play equipment is placed at just the right height for use by all!



Playground surfaces are soft and firm allowing everyone, young or old, to have access to the area.  Landscape Structures has developed a PebbleFlex® surfacing system that provides enhanced safety and durability.  This material is softer, making for a safer play surface.  It comes in a variety of colors and will accommodate custom graphics.



Concrete walks as well as sitting areas are built around the perimeter to allow walking surfaces for mom’s who want a little exercise while keeping a close eye on their children at play.



Today’s playgrounds are better than ever and FUN for all ages!

Isamu Noguchi

Isamu Noguchi was a Japanese American artist, sculptor and landscape architect known worldwide for his public works.  Born in Los Angeles in 1904, his long career spanned six decades.  Here are a few of his most famous pieces:

“Red Cube,” HSBC Building, New York, NY, 1968

Japanese Garden at UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, France,  Travel Pod

Dodge Fountain and Phillip A. Hart Plaza, Detroit, MI, 1975

(Metro Jacksonville)

“California Scenario,” Costa Mesa, CA, 1980-82 (Alisa Ochoa)

In 1948, Noguchi collaborated with the Herman Miller furniture company to produce a catalog of modern furniture.  Perhaps his most famous piece from this catalog was his Noguchi table.  This table still remains popular today.

“Noguchi Table” for Herman Miller , 1948

Noguchi also designed playgrounds for children.  He saw them as the perfect way to integrate sculpture into modern life.  Here are some of his playgrounds:

Piedmont Park, Atlanta, GA

 

Piedmont Park, Atlanta, GA (mikehipp at flickr)

 

The slide was recently renovated at Piedmont Park, Atlanta, GA (Reid2008 at flickr)

Late in his life, Noguchi designed several “Slide Mantras” made from stone.  The Slide Manta in Sapporo was constructed of black stone so that it could be viewed even in the snow-covered winter months there.  These Slides were not constructed however, until after his death. 

  Black Slide Mantra, Odori Park, Sapporo, Japan

 

Black Slide Mantra, Odori Park, Sapporo, Japan

 Model for Slide Mantra 1, Noguchi Museum

 Bayfront Park, Miami, FL

Noguchi died on November 30, 1988 at the age of 84 after a very long and prolific artistic career.  To learn more about his life and work, visit Wikipedia or The Noguchi Museum.

It’s Friday, so it’s time to see what other bloggers are up to at The Inspired Room's Beautiful Life Friday.

What’s in your backyard?

It all started with a rope, a tire and a tree.  Add a kid and it spelled FUN.

  

There is nothing like a swing for fun!  This is something we begin to enjoy as infants …

Can you recall the sound of your child’s laughter while swinging?

 

Music to our ears!

When was the last time you heard this song? 

How inviting, this destination.

What’s in your backyard?

 

This week I’m hooked on Swings.  To see what others are hooked on, visit Julia’s Hooked on Houses Friday Blog Party and Melissa’s The Inspired Rooms Beautiful Life Friday.

Play Ground

This may be old news, but I thought it was interesting enough to call attention to. Here’s something to chew on. Sculptor Tom Otterness was commissioned to design a private playground. In bronze. Tin Man playground.

Photos from the Tom Otterness Website

This is what I would call “functional” art in the landscape!