Date of Award
5-2018
Document Type
Terminal Project
Degree Name
Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA)
Department
Landscape Architecture
Committee Member
Dr.Matthew Powers
Committee Member
David Lycke, FASLA, PLA
Committee Member
Jessica Fernandez, PLA, ASLA, LEED AP ND
Abstract
Thousands of studies have found that natural environments have lots of benefits to children. (Barbour, 1999) Natural playscape is defined as a space with as little manufactured components as possible using native plants, rolling hills and trees. (Migas, 2014) Nature playscapes improve physical skills, social skills, and cooperation skills. Nature environments stimulate a child’s imagination and creativity and educate child to appreciate nature and to learn about environments.(Moore, 1997) To improve children’s play quality and improve interactions between nature and children, five bodies of knowledge have studies in the literature review: How to enhance play quality using natural elements, how to integrate different play into one playscape, how to address safety issues in playscape, how to make more accessible playscape and engage multisensory cues into playscape. Then these key elements are showed in four aspects: spatial experiences, nature element, accessibility, and multisensory cues and four case studies has been done addressed on each of the aspect. Design application is an example based on research conclusion. The Earl Anderson park is designed to connect children with nature environment but also accommodate multiple community users. The design offer children abundant spatial experiences, five sensory cues, accessible playscape using nature elements like stones, sand, water, topography, texture and vegetations.
Recommended Citation
Si, Zhaowei, "NATURE AS PLAYSCAPE:A Community Park for All" (2018). Master of Landscape Architecture Terminal Projects. 59.
https://open.clemson.edu/mlatp/59