Bohlin Cywinski Jackson
TEXT
Bohlin Cywinski Jackson
sits perched on a forest of steel
columns, evocative of the trees in
the surrounding park. The platform
overlooks the pre school area
below while facilitating expansive
views of Mountain Lake. Apertures
in the platform provide framed
moments of intrigue for the users
both above and below.
Additional design elements draw
on the rich natural history of
the site. The ‘sand dunes’ of the
preschool area represent the rolling
sand dunes that once spread across
the region; the ribbed pattern of
the concrete walls is an abstraction
of tulle reeds that line the shores
of Mountain Lake; tracks of birds
and animals native to the area
imprint the surface of the wall that
borders the school age area; while
large sculptures, including a frog
and turtle, acknowledge the native
aquatic life in the lake. These site-
specific references are enriched
by large timber play structures,
PHOTO
Nic Lehoux
www.niclehoux.com
giving the impression that they
were fashioned from logs of the
surrounding forests.
The effort to renovate the
playground was spearheaded by
a group of three local mothers,
in partnership with the San
Francisco Recreation and Parks
Department. The three women
formed the “Friends of Mountain
Lake Park Playground” (FMLPP)
in 2010 after they learned a
renovation could only happen
with the support of community
advocates. The project was
earmarked to receive funding
through the Clean & Safe
Neighborhood Parks Bond because
of FMLPP’s initial efforts, which also
included a substantial donation
from the group itself. Remaining
funds were raised mainly through
small- and medium-sized
donations from the community,
as well as donated services from
Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, Lutsko
Associates, and Holmes Structures.
Landscape & Urban Design
61