Korean War Veterans Park
Programmatic Requirements
As a part of the continued build-out and renovation of Korean War Veterans Park, the City of Albuquerque moved its offices of Therapeutic Recreation to the Community Center building within the Park. The park and playground were designed with therapeutic recreation as their focus. As a result, all walkways, site furnishings and play components responded to these special needs. The playground and park designs also provided the amenities of a neighborhood park and serve the people in the surrounding community.
Site Constraints
The park site was a sloping hillside that drops approximately 26 feet from east to west and 14 feet from south to north. These grade differences made the need for accessible walkways a primary concern. In particular, accessible routes needed to be provided between a bus stop at the bottom of the hill and the community center at the top, as well as between the various play elements located throughout the park. The play area was situated between the Community Center Building and existing basketball courts. To accommodate the grade difference between the community center and the courts, the play area was set into the hillside approximately 4 feet below the highest adjacent grade. Designed in the form of a large circle, the play area contains concrete "steps" along one side that serve to retain the adjacent slope. Accessible walkways surround the circle's perimeter to allow circulation around the play area and connect it to the site. The placement of the playground enabled the creation of an accessible under deck on the playstructure. Visitors can enter the upper deck via a level bridge that connects the playground to a plaza located at the top of the slope. The design of the upper deck creates a circulation loop with connections to lower-level play components. Ramps located in the center of the structure take advantage of the site's grade differential in providing some additional play challenge.
Play Elements
Components on the playstructure were chosen for their therapeutic opportunities and play value. Examples of these are the Gear Panel, Chimes Panel, Braille Panel, Mirror Panel, Store Panel, and Stationary Cycler. The lower level of the play area is made more than 60 percent accessible with poured-in-place surfacing. This allows visitors in wheelchairs to access the panels and climbing apparatus from the lower level as well as from the upper deck. The structure was loaded with slides and climbers that connect the two levels, and included an extensive Disc Climber network that crossed through the center of the circular structure. Other play elements included spring toys for toddlers and older children, a toddler swing, and wheelchair accessible and regular SuperScoops. Seating/climbing areas provided by the series of concrete steps (also serving as a retaining wall), and picnic tables and benches were placed at varying heights to accommodate visitors of all ages.
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