PORTFOLIO - PUBLIC - SILVERDALE ELEMENTARY

conditions before

The existing northern portion of the Silverdale Elementary playground was in dire need of redesign.  The site was difficult to maintain and had a poor relationship to the surrounding building and play areas.  Also, the trees were in poor health and slated to be removed.

The removal of trees created the need to explore ways to create a more dynamic space.  One major design challenge was the septic tank that was buried in the area 3.5 feet above the playground grade creating disparate grade changes.  Of three concepts, the faculty and community of Silverdale Elementary chose to solve their problem landscape with a design that consists of an amphitheatre.

The amphitheatre design includes several picnic tables, small-scale teaching area with sitting rocks and a larger-scale teaching area with terraced lawn.  The design is not only used as a teaching area but also as a passive-use playground for the students.  All of the new plants installed are native to the Pacific Northwest. 

The new playground is currently in the first phase of construction.  Throughout the design and construction of this playground, educational opportunities have been utilized to help the faculty, students and parents learn about the environment around them.  For example, the rings of the trees that were removed are being used as part of the interpretive display boards that are presented to the school and community for both fundraising and educational purposes.