The El Marino Park Playground’s renovations accommodating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and children between the ages of five and 12 was completed and opened publicly on the Fourth of July holiday weekend.
The playground project achieved the city’s three primary goals. First, the park’s equipment, manufactured by Landscape Structures in partnership with Global Relief, uses all sustainable products and processes, thereby offsetting its carbon footprint at the
manufacturing level.
Second, the playground is completely accessible, from the engineered wood Fibar surfacing to the equipment itself, offering play opportunities to children of all physical abilities. And, finally, the equipment offers a completely kinetic and interactive play experience.
“The Department’s philosophy and objectives of creating a totally challenging play
experience, both physically and mentally, has been achieved in this project. Just watch
the children on this playground, and you will see,” said Dan Hernandez, Parks,
Recreation and Community Services director.
Every piece of equipment either moves, swivels, or tests a child’s agility, balance, climbing, hanging and jumping ability. The equipment also provides a certain element of risk (even if it is only implied), which is very important to a child’s development. While physically challenging in developing both upper and lower body strength, the activities provided also enable a child to develop spatial awareness and problem solving techniques.
“The City of Culver City is thrilled to have this new playground equipment for our children. And, while the children are busy playing, getting exercise and having fun, they are also learning valuable skills without even realizing it,” said Culver City Mayor Micheál O’Leary.
Along with the traditional swings, the new playground includes the following features:
- Slalom Glider: more widely known as a slide, has side grips and glide angles which ensure safety all the way down the slide.
- Hang Glider: a wavy combo. It looks like a slide without the middle section,
which enables children to shimmy up, slide down and swing through its
structure.
- Hemisphere Climber: challenges youth with limitless climbing routes and angles.
- Balance Winder Climber: allows children to learn to counterbalance their weight against gravity.
El Marino Park is at 5301 Berryman Ave., Culver City.
