Playgrounds

BROWN, RICHARDSON + ROWE LANDSCAPE

ARCHITECTS AND PLANNERS

PLAY

OUR PHILOSOPHY

For over 40 years, Brown, Richardson + Rowe has developed an extensive portfolio of public recreational spaces, playgrounds, water play areas, and parks. Thoughtfully designed playgrounds contribute tremendously to their neighborhoods and communities. Young children need engaging, dynamic, safe and comfortable outdoor spaces for exploration and exercise. We design appealing spaces that withstand the test of time. Because play equipment and water play areas require significant community investment, their design should be well researched, responsive to community needs and provide the maximum level of engagement, stimulation, diversity and inclusion.

Sensory-rich play experiences are key elements for inclusive play spaces. Children of all abilities can develop the strong sensory and motor systems that are vital for their futures. Children develop skills and behaviors based upon what they touch, see, hear, taste, smell, and how they move and position their bodies in space. Through this type of sensory play, children discover their world and how to be successful in it. Because inclusivity is vital, BRR aims to provide a variety of elements that stimulate all senses: tactile, proprioception, vestibular, visual, auditory, motor planning and social/imaginative play experiences. By allowing every child to experience the joy and thrill of sensory-motor play, a playground can transform into a groundbreaking space where children can develop their bodies, brains and self-esteem and lay the groundwork for healthy and fulfilling lives.

image © gregg shupe

FATHER TRAVASSOS PARK

FALL RIVER, MA

CLIENT: Executive Office Of Energy And Environmental

Affairs Gateway City Parks Program

SIZE: 6.25 Acres

COMPLETION: Spring 2016

The City of Fall River selected the rehabilitation of Father Travassos Park along the Quequechan River for its recent round of Gateway City funding. The renovated park includes a separate tot lot and ‘big kid’ area, a splash pad, an irrigated soccer field, a dek hockey rink, walking paths, new lighting, improved landscaping and shade tree plantings. Construction was completed in the spring of 2016.

image © gregg shupe

image © gregg shupe

SWASEY FIELD

HAVERHILL, MA

CLIENT: Executive Office Of Energy And Environmental Affairs Gateway City Parks Program

SIZE: 14 Acres

COMPLETION: Fall 2015

Swasey Field is a 14-acre park, originally built in 1910 for mill workers. The heavily used park is located in an environmental justice neighborhood and was in need of restoration. The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Gateway City Parks Program funded design and two phases of construction of site improvements. The overall plan included an accessible perimeter walking path, a parking lot, a water splash pad, field stone walls, two renovated Little League baseball fields and a Regulation field, new basketball court surfacing, shade trees and a reclaimed sledding hill. Both phases were completed by the summer of 2015.

image © alison colby-campbell

image © pose

JEAN KENNEDY PLAYGROUND

QUINCY, MA

CLIENT: Executive Office Of Energy And Environmental Affairs Gateway City Parks Program

SIZE: 3/4 Acre

COMPLETION: Summer 2019

In July of 2019, BRR completed the renovation of Jean Kennedy Playground and Taffrail Playground for the Quincy Housing Authority. Located in the city’s coastal Germantown neighborhood, Jean Kennedy includes a half basketball court, gathering areas for families, accessible walkways, and a brandnew playground. Play equipment for both toddlers and older children is set on bright, geometrically patterned poured in place safety surfacing. Whimsical star shaped concrete benches on top of play turf not only provide seating for adults, but also serve as another climbing and play element for children. A variety of salt tolerant and native plants, selected to thrive near saltwater, provide shade and visual stimulation for all visitors. Abstractly scored concrete ties in with the play surfacing patterns. Bright flame orange picnic tables add a pop of color to the gathering spaces. Taffrail play area improvements include a new splash pad and full-sized basketball court. The renovated playground provides much-needed, high quality outdoor recreational area for the residents of Germantown.

TAFFRAIL ROAD SPLASH PAD

QUINCY, MA

CLIENT: Executive Office Of Energy And Environmental Affairs Gateway City Parks Program

SIZE: 1/4 Acre

COMPLETION: Summer 2019

Brown, Richardson + Rowe worked with the Quincy Housing Authority to renovate the existing Taffrail Road Playground. BRR worked closely with the public to create a design that incorporated the play elements desired by the community. The newly opened Taffrail Road Playground includes an interactive splash pad, a full sized basketball court, accessible pathways, and seating. Construction was completed in July of 2019.

BREMEN STREET PARK

EAST BOSTON, MA

CLIENT: Massport

SIZE: 18.5 Acres

COMPLETION: Fall 2007

This park is owned and maintained by Massport, and was created as mitigation for the Massachusetts Turnpike extension to Logan Airport. The park is anchored on one end by a community garden and on the other by a playground adjacent to the YMCA. An accessible splash pad and an even larger play area form the core of the park. Additional amenities like boccee courts and horseshoes are located under the Route 1A viaduct. The East Boston Greenway multi-use trail and the walkway over Route 1A to Airport Station run throughout the park and form important regional connections. The YMCA brings activity to the park throughout the day and evening.

image © alex maclean image © bnan