At the community meeting last night, Steve Koch, principle architect of the Portland firm KLA, dazzled attendees with his plan for revamping the Dolores Park Playground. It features a 35 foot Super Slide surrounded by natural boulders, a grand climbing structure accessible by a bridge, shooting off the southern hill and is surrounded by several play zones designed for different age groups.
The entire playground will be interwoven with walls that double as benches giving the adults a place to relax and keep an eye an the kids at play.
Nancy Gonzalez-Madynski, a founding member of Friends of Dolores Heights Playground recalled how she had dreamed of a word class playground and now believes it will soon be a reality. Koch told us he was trying to design for everyone, from the very young to teens. His liberal use of wood and rock will allow “for Natural Play”, a feature that many community participants in the planning process had requested and had feared would be imposable. Koch also hopes to further enhance the playground by incorporating wind and solar sculptures.The plan goes to the Rec and Park commission on June 4 at 4pm. If approved, Koch will prepare detailed construction plans and work will begin next spring. Our new playground should be ready for play by late Fall 2010.