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Works

14 Oct

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Inclusive Playground Community Build

October 14, 2022 | By |

Jefferson Universal Movement Playground (Jump!) Community Build


It is a rare and enjoyable opportunity for us to get our hands dirty and help bring one of our own designs into the real world. Last August we were excited to join the community-build for the construction of Jefferson County’s first inclusive playground in HJ Carrol Park in Chimacum, Washington, known as the Jefferson Universal Movement Playground (JUMP!).

Since 2016, the JUMP! playground has been a community-based effort led by Sarah Grossman and Sarah McNulty, two physical therapists who wanted their students to have a playground they could safely use in the Chimacum School District. Today, the formation of JUMP! is a group of dedicated parents, community members, and pediatric Occupational and Physical Therapists. Nakano Associates joined their efforts as the landscape architect to bring their efforts for an inclusive playground into its final phase.

What is an inclusive playground?

Rooted in universal design principles, inclusive playgrounds strive to be spaces where every child -regardless of ability or disability- can explore and be active. Inclusive playgrounds provide a diversity of motor and multi-sensory experiences so that everyone is welcome and encouraged to play. They also approach children’s needs holistically, integrating ways to stimulate and hone social-emotional, sensory development, cognition, communication, and physical needs.

Community-Build Day

When we arrived at HJ Carroll Park the JUMP! Playground the hardscape was almost complete.  Playground contractors from CME Play were placing finishing touches on river rock rivulets at the entrance of the playground.

The main play structure was being hoisted into place and the slides were in the process of being bolted in. This and other play structures on site were chosen for its ability to accommodate the needs of children of differing physical abilities. This one features a seamlessly integrated wheelchair ramp and landing platform.

Gorgeous orca whale sculptures flank the playstructure so that children can clamber up and down their back and sit on their dorsal fin. We soon got to work moving the mother and calf sculpture, bolted in their footings, hoisted them into place, and set them in after a mini excavator/ dug the footing holes.

The playground’s theme is “Salish Sea” evidenced through different Pacific Northwest ocean iconography ranging from orca whales to sea snails and plankton.

Working together with Chimacum community members, it was exciting to participate in the transformation from design documents into the first phase of construction. We are excited to be part of future community builds, and the groundbreaking! It has been an honor to work with such a passionate, dedicated team and to provide an imaginative playground for all children. For more information on the JUMP! playground, check out their website at https://www.jumpplayground.org/.

07 Mar

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Helping Seattle Parks and Recreation Explore Water Reuse

March 7, 2020 | By |

Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) recently engaged Kennedy Jenks and Nakano Associates to assist them in exploring opportunities for water reuse in their facilities. Our team assessed the effectiveness of SPR’s existing water reuse and conservation systems, evaluated other reuse and conservation systems that SPR could implement, and determined a high-level implementation plan for the reuse and conservation systems examined to decrease long-term operations and maintenance costs.

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29 Aug

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A Case for Urban Edible Landscapes

August 29, 2018 | By |

Backyard gardeners, urban farmers, and community plot garden hobbyist have made a huge wave in the Seattle region, bringing ‘grow-it-yourself’ culture into the mainstream. Read More

28 Sep

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Celebrating Kenichi’s Legacy

September 28, 2017 | By |

Join us in remembering Kenichi’s life and work at an exhibit hosted by the UW Landscape Architecture department at Gould Hall on the UW Campus. This retrospective exhibit celebrates the life and career of Kenichi Nakano and shows a portfolio of projects from his more than 40-year career. Read More

13 Jun

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Welcome Plaza: Where Beauty Meets Function

June 13, 2017 | By |

It was with great joy and excitement that Mayor Jill Guernsey cut the ribbon for the long-awaited opening of Welcome Plaza at Skansie Brothers Park in Gig Harbor on Thursday, June 1st. Read More

15 Apr

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21 Aug

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