CVPRD is hosting the first Community Design Meeting on June 5th, 2022 at our Santa Fe Trail park property. This meeting is an opportunity to imagine and design our first park together as a community! This post includes some examples of natural playground equipment for children. We hope these pictures inspire creativity in community members to prepare for our June 5th Community Design Meeting!
A special thank you to commissioner Melonie Ancheta for the following images and captions!
My idea is to mix several elements into an all-in-one! It could have log steps, a slide could be incorporated, along with a swing, or even a couple. A climbing element like this could straddle the upper part of the creek and utilize the flat and slope at the same time. 
Something like this could be incorporated into the all-in-one. Climbing helps develop so many skills and traits, including self-confidence, trust, cognitive processes. 
We could take advantage of the slope with this kind of climbing feature and have a slide next to it coming back down the slope. 
I can see this going up the hill to a landing and there being a slide to get back down. 
These could inspire learning games: abc’s, numbers, colors…They’re also great for gross motor skills, balance, etc. 
Something like this could be designed so it’s fed by the creek and runs back into the creek. It would create multiple ways for getting wet, which is something all kids are good at. 
While we’re at it, let’s engage multiple senses and some creativity! 
An incredibly simple activity. I can tell the middle boy is saying, “But I’m in the middle of a game! I don’t want to leave yet!” 
What kid doesn’t want a fort! 
A small, cool addition. Wish I’d had one in my yard when the kids were small. We could have several of these designed for small motor skills, eye/hand coordination. Maybe some that make music! 
Who doesn’t want to live in a nest! I’d love to have one just for me! 
How many boys will that support? Looks like a whole herd to me. 
A cool version of King of the Hill. Great for gross motor skill development, balance… 
Something like this could be dug into the slope. Make the logs taller and put in handholds for climbing. Or, make the logs several feet tall so kids can climb them from both inside and outside…storming the fort! 
Another way to make use of the hill. 
Incorporating things like this pollinator habitat could provide educational opportunities. Maybe we could include bat houses in our parks, too. 
What kid doesn’t want a zip line. It would be good to have a couple for different ages and heights. 
These types of climbing/play structures are excellent for building gross motor skills, and just plain having fun. I keep thinking of this as a King of the Mountain structure. These are happy, healthy kids! 
I can see this being popular with multiple ages, including some adults.
Columbia Valley Park & Recreation District 