Create a Project Vision and Identity
Close your eyes for a minute and imagine what your playspace area will look like. What do you see? How about giggling children racing down a bright yellow slide, teenagers showing off tricks on their skateboards, or a youth soccer team running drills? What about parents and neighbors chatting with each other at picnic tables? Now is the time to be creative and idealistic as you envision the impact of your project on everyone in your community.
In the months ahead, nearly everyone you encounter friends, donors, parents, coworkers will ask you why you're doing this project, and sharing your vision is the best way to draw them in. It will also help you stay motivated when you run up against inevitable delays and obstacles. One secret to success is to "brand" your project at the beginning with a unique name, theme, logo and a central headquarters with contact information. Your project brand will create a recognizable and memorable identity that lets your community know who you are and what you stand for.
Selecting a Playspace Site
You may already have an area in mind as the perfect future playspace site, but it's a good idea to evaluate the site carefully before you begin. Many different factors will influence your playspace's ultimate cost, design, and usage. These factors include but are not limited to: land ownership, size, topography, existing natural or man-made elements, history of the space, neighborhood environment, shade, amenities, proximity to hazardous areas such as busy streets or parking lots, etc. A large site or a site that requires a great deal of labor and machinery for site preparation (e.g. leveling an incline, removing trees or asphalt) will increase the cost of your project. Below are two worksheets to take with you when you visit potential sites:
Choosing Your Site
By now, you should have identified potential sites for your playspace and conducted a site evaluation using the worksheets from Mile 1. Having a confirmed playspace site will really fire up your planning committee, allowing you to flesh out your vision and brainstorm design ideas. Be sure to consider the different aspects of site preparation, and obtain documentation for proof of land ownership and liability coverage for the playspace.