Redwood Park, Arcata, CA
Situated in the beautiful, lush, redwood coastal city of Arcata, this one-of-a-kind, destination park is a shining example of how to incorporate the natural surroundings into a playground design. Miracle Playsystems was asked to design a unique playground, centered in the middle of a Redwood Forest. The City reached out to the community before we began designing with an on-line survey with eight different themes and "Castle Adventures" won out. With that theme in mind, we worked closely with the City to develop a beautiful, natural-looking wooden castle playground for the children to explore and create adventures thru play. The community had nothing like it in the general vicinity of Mendocino County and the far Northern California Coast. It is truly a first of its kind, destination playground and is now loved by the community and visitors to the beautiful Redwood Park forest!

The playground has two play structures - one for 2–5-year-olds and a larger, "castle/fort" for the 5-12 age range. The play structures were designed custom with HAGS playground equipment. You will find the natural Robinia wooden structures have so many play features which make it so unique. There are net bridges, climbing nets, sensory panels with levers and games, binoculars to view the beautiful trees that surround the playground, and extreme slides to elevate the level of fun! Incorporated into both play structures are items from UPC Parks. The mushroom steppers guide young adventurers onto the 2-5 structure with that touch of whimsy. The UPC Sequoia Root in the center of the 5-12 structure was the focal point for the upper age playground. The Sequoia Root looks like a fallen Redwood Tree, which is so fitting in the elements. It creates an extreme level of climbing play and is the hit of the playground.

Rounding out the playground are many other products that together create an inclusive play environment. Elephant Play's Spinneround is an inclusive spinner where children of all ages and abilities can play together. The Inclusive Whirl is a hot play item for kids of all ages and abilities as well. The Whirl is level with the playground surfacing, making it easy for kids in mobility devices to get on board and play together. There are swings on both sides of the playground. The younger swing set includes bucket swing seats and a Generation Swing seat where adults and small children can swing together. The upper age swing seat has an inclusive swing seat, belt seats and a fun basket swing for different types of play. Lastly is a musical flower garden by Percussion Play which adds a fun, relaxing place to hang out and listen to the beautiful sounds in an awe-inspiring setting.

What makes this park really stand out is the beautiful pour in place rubber surfacing which is important for inclusive play and makes it easier for people of all ages and abilities to be able to join in the fun. We included a river design, making it look like the river goes from the younger age playground down the hill to the upper age playground. Along the way there are fun UPC pieces like some Log, Rock and Salmon climbers which are great for imaginative play and just to sit and hang out on.

This is a special playground and a great example of using ideas of a community, incorporating the natural elements and making it all come together in an amazing play space.