Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
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C h a p t e r 8 C r e at e a D e s t i nat i on
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sprayground options playground options
Wake Forest Elementary School
S S Potential locations for spraygrounds & playgrounds
8.2 Spraygrounds & Playgrounds
Wake Forest has done a superior job in providing programmed events to activate the downtown area. Successful downtowns add a layer to this, interactive public spaces that are free to the public and require no programming. Attracting families to downtown with spaces designed for children will be key in Wake Forest’s continued evolution into a more vibrant place. The diagram above illustrates potential locations for both spraygrounds and playgrounds as part of this strategy. Spraygrounds have distinct benefits that set them apart from other public spaces. They use water, but avoid the issues of pools and lakes that involve knowing how to swim and other safety issues. Spraygrounds are growing in popularity among parents and children as a convenient alternative to pools and lakes. Additionally, they can serve as an interactive art element above and beyond their recreational benefits. Lighting can be incorporated to enhance the artful columns of water spurts at night. Splashing water also serves as a background noise in some public spaces, like spraygrounds. Care should be taken when locating and designing new spraygrounds and playgrounds, especially in close proximity to public streets. While they are excellent at bringing vibrancy and activity to the street, they must also be safe for children at play. Detailed design and planning of these spaces should find a balance between addressing the street and providing safe enclosure for children at play.
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