Harper’s Playground has reached a significant milestone in the planning and creation of their largest inclusive playground at Marshall Park in Vancouver, Washington. Several local firms will work collaboratively on the complete redesign and construction of the playground using Harper’s Playground’s radically inclusive model for physically, socially, and emotionally inviting spaces.
- Harper’s Playground will assemble the team, raise private funds for the playground construction, and ensure that the project meets their design standards
- LSW Architects will serve as the project management partner to Harper’s Playground
- AKS Engineering and Forestry, LLC will provide civil engineering & landscape architecture services in carrying out Harper’s Playground’s design
- Pence Construction will be the project’s general contractor
The group assembled for their project launch on-site on Tuesday, March 30th, to review the concept plans and timeline for design and construction.
Casey Wyckoff, Principal for LSW Architects, said, “As a local firm, our first priority is the health, well-being, and vitality of our community. At the heart of this is our commitment to sustainability, equity, and creating opportunities for human connection. We are thrilled to be a part of this important project, which brings all of these design considerations together right in our backyard.”
“We support Harper’s Playground’s mission to create inviting playgrounds for all people,” said Paul Schulz, Principal at Pence Construction. “All of us at Pence are privileged to be part of this good work.”
AKS Engineering & Forestry, LLC Associate, Blair Carlson, added, “We feel this is an important effort that is vital to our local community, and we are honored to collaborate with Harper’s Playground and the rest of the team on another great project.”
Harper’s Playground chose the site location within the 14-acre Marshall Park for many reasons, including the site’s access to mass transit and proximity to community assets like Legacy Health’s Pediatric Rehabilitation Luepke Senior Center and Marshall Community Center. The playground will feature fully accessible and explorable play areas and equipment that fosters collaboration and interaction among users of diverse abilities, and it will capitalize on existing amenities like a picnic shelter, mature trees, and a community garden. The existing play structure, built in honor of Chelsea Anderson, is at the end of its life cycle. With the support of the Anderson family, the new playground design will continue to honor Chelsea’s memory, and integrate the existing firefighter theme into Harper’s Playground’s signature design standards.
“It has been a pleasure working alongside Parks Director, Julie Hannon, and everyone at Vancouver Parks & Recreation to select this fabulous site and engage the community in the concept planning thus far!” said Executive Director and Co-Founder, G Cody QJ Goldberg. “Harper’s Playground is delighted to work alongside this newly assembled team of organizations that share our commitment to creating a space where people of all ages and abilities will connect and thrive.”
The Marshall Park Playground project will break ground in the spring of 2022. The ribbon-cutting celebration will follow later in the fall.
Harper’s Playground has raised more than $700K towards the new privately funded playground and actively seeks donors to secure the $2.5 million needed to complete the project.
Harper’s Playground will hold its Annual Gala on September 25th at Marshall Park, with proceeds to benefit the project. For information on how you can donate and get involved, visit https://www.harpersplayground.org/playgrounds/marshall-park