Louisville, Nebraska
Inspired by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commision’s Venture Parks Initiative, the Platte River State Park Playground aims to bring more kid-friendly activities to one of the gems of the state park system.
Lamp Rynearson joined Crouch Recreation and the NGPC team as site designer for this project. The goal was to create a play area that appealed to a variety of age groups while preserving the natural character of the site nestled into the hills of the Platte River valley.
Bringing the natural play vision to life while providing inclusive and accessible opportunities for play and interaction proved to be challenging given the steep slopes of the site. The design utilized five different “pods” that included various features and amenities to appeal to a wide range of age groups.
Collaborating with park staff and Crouch Recreation, playground pieces were selected to enhance the unique site and continue the nature-themed objective. The Lamp Rynearson team used their creativity and expertise to effectively place elements and design grading that seamlessly transitioned back to the preserved natural spaces. In order to create a sense of integration for the play area, a tree survey was conducted to determine existing trees to preserve and where trees could be removed based on health and viability.
