JONES PARK

A revitalized community park and playground in east Vancouver. 

Home to a diversity of events and programming, Jones Park received a long anticipated renewal in order to meet the needs of this neighbourhood for decades to come.

A plaza was designed which meets all the needs highlighted by the community during consultation. Including improved circulation, electricity and greater seating opportunities for community events. A new treed lined pedestrian path along the south edge of the park closes the walking loop from plaza to playground and allows for a continuous circuit around the park complete with outdoor fitness equipment. A swale and rain garden along the south edge will improve park drainage and provide a natural feature with added habitat value.

The giant snail, positioned at the edge of a mature stand of western red cedar and fir trees and overlooking a meadow and play field is the most prominent feature of this new whimsical playground. Crafted by a local

sculptor the snail serves double duty as climbing structure and accessible water play feature. A water tap gives the snail a drink and water flows down channels within the snail, creating slime streams for play in the sand. Just beyond the sand, undulating blue and turquoise rubber mounds evoke the ocean and provide an environment for unstructured, creative play. A wooden plank connects the top of the larger mound to a ship in the forest complete with slide, rope bridge and below deck table and stools. Also hidden within the ‘waves’ are an embankment slide and carousel. Salvaged beach logs and boulders add to the natural elements of the space and provide informal seating. Offering a connection to the playground’s past the existing whale spring rider was given a tune up and re-installed adjacent to the ship. This little whale served as inspiration for the playground’s concept of a play on scale and a sea in the forest.