En bra plats för lek : kreativ och tillgänglig lekplats i Hedemora

Abstract: For an outdoor environment to function optimally as a playarea requires that it is flexible, that is, contains places and elements that give room for the imagination and for own interpetretations, and also that the children in some way can influence and change their surroundings. It is also important to have variety, both in the sense that the playground has a unique character that distinguishes it from other places, and that it allows many different games and activities. There should for example be room for both wild games of running and moving around where many children can participate, and calm corners to withdraw to for rest or quiet play. A good playground should surprise, challenge and encourage children to discover their surroundings. One way to achive this is to use plants and materials from nature, whose irregular forms and structures can become interesting elements to explore. Vegetation also gives sence-experiences of various kinds, materials like twigs and leafs to play with and a place to play house. I advocate the use of prefabricated playground equipment since they are fun, safe and gives the impression that the area is intended for play. However, it is important that the equipment is selected and placed with care. It should also be combined with more unique features, such as nature areas, shrubbery, sculptures or interesting altitude to give the playground it's own unique identity. A very important ascpect of playground design is accessibility. Disabled children, like all children, have the need and the right to play outdoors. Accessiblie playgrounds make it possible to get a natural contact with peers and to develop one's social skills. Finding activities and equipment that can be mastered is important for the childs developement and builds self-esteem. An accessible environment is also a prerequisite for disabled parents to be able to visit the playground. It is difficult, if not impossible, to build playgrounds where all visitors can participate in every activity. The important thing is not that all playground equipment is accessible, but that all children are given the right to choose between several different activities. My report ends with a design proposal for a renewal of the playground in the municipal park in Hedemora, that adds plants and natural materials to existing playground equipment in order to form a more creative environment for children to play in. My ambition has been to make the area accessible to as many people as possible.