Rose Park Playground Designs Released

For over a year, the Friends of Rose Park have worked closely with the DC Parks and Rec. department to agree on designs for needed renovations to the park’s two popular playgrounds. And now GM can report that the designs have been agreed on and are displayed below:

Here is the tot-lot schematic. It will have a large climbing structure on the north end and a smaller structure designed like a grocery truck towards the middle. (The grocery truck appears to reflect a “market” theme for the playgrounds, which GM assumes is an homage to the popular farmers market in the park.)

The center of the tot-lot will be dominated by a large sandbox. And six swings will fill in the south end.

One possible controversial choice for the playgrounds is the decision to use wood-chips. The materials argue that while rubber mat surfaces are popular these days, they are not permeable (a concern for the playgrounds being so close to Rock Creek) and they get a lot hotter than wood chips.

Here’s the older kids’ lot. It has a play farmer’s stand, as well as two large climbing structures. It will also have a quad-see saw.

Both lots will also add required ADA equipment.

GM has always liked the Rose Park playground (well, “always” since his daughter’s been crawling around.) But he admits it’s definitely rough around the edges. These should ultimately be an improvement. (Although GM was kind of hoping for a splash park element. Oh well…)