Destination Play
Design Concepts understands that today’s agencies are challenged with engaging people of all ages in a variety of play and learning opportunities that benefit both physical and mental health. We have led the way in Colorado by collaborating with other design and play professionals to create outdoor learning environments that address key issues such as: •
Developing fine and gross motor skills
•
Expanding social, imagination, and negotiation skills
•
Allowing free play to allow running, rolling and twirling
•
Providing the opportunity to connect with nature
•
Encouraging interaction between all community members
The business of children is play, and whether it is at schools, parks or other community spaces, children need access to high quality, dynamic outdoor learning and play spaces to develop into healthy, socially integrated adults.
We design through a child’s eye where the playground becomes a magical environment that transforms into a new world for all to explore.
imagine discover
explore educate Imagination comes alive through the design themes and through customized details to be discovered during play.
Inclusive
play
that welcomes everyone Our passion for truly inclusive destination play areas runs deep. We feel fiercely that anyone who comes to a public place should be able to experience it seamlessly and interact side-by-side with others. Their experiences will not all be exactly the same, but all should feel welcome, included, and engaged.
Multi-generational
play
for each family member
“Design Concepts stood head and shoulders above the other landscape design firms.” Mike Cuskelley Mike Director of Maintenance Boulder Valley School District
Multi-generational play is intended to encourage active association between all ages and build healthier communities by offering pleasurable alternatives to regimented exercise routines. Today’s families play together in a variety of ways. By making the park an appealing destination for the whole family we encourage people to form a better connection between each other, their community and the environment.
“They show great professionalism with excellent team collaboration, planning, responsive client service, and creative thinking and problem-solving.”
Catherine Townsend Catherine Construction Project Manager Adams 12 Five Star School
Nature play
that define communities
Nature play by definition is: “A designated, managed area in an existing or modified outdoor environment where children of all ages and abilities play and learn by engaging with and manipulating diverse natural elements, materials, organisms, and habitats, through sensory, fine motor and gross motor experiences.” - Nature Play & Learning Places, by Robin Moore
Our designs often incorporate nature play in order to actively engage children in nature and its elements. We believe fostering a child’s love of nature through nature play design impacts their growth, development and future stewardship of their surrounding environment.
“Their attention to detail and ability to coordinate from design through construction is invaluable. They listen well and respond, and their expertise in design and material selection has resulted in a quality product for our guests.” Julie Watkins Julie President/CEO YMCA of the Rockies, Granby, Colorado
“Design Concepts helps us maintain trust with our community.” - Joyce Manwaring Former Parks & Recreation Director City of Wheat Ridge
A Word From Our Principals We believe traditional playgrounds often miss the mark in creating engaging and unique places to explore the outdoors. Truly amazing play happens with discovery, imagination and the magic of losing oneself all come together. Our designers put creativity and surprise in every detail. In our spaces, kids can traverse a crater on the moon, unearth a prehistoric fossil, or turn themselves into a human sundial. Our play designs begin in our imagination. A small site or limited budget never determine the creativity we bring to our projects. We make every space special, whether the resources at hand are as small as the Who that Horton heard or as infinite as the innocence of the Hundred-Acre Wood. At Design Concepts we never stop playing.
Carol Henry, President
Shanen Weber, Principal
Erik Spring, Principal