Orchids & Onions

Tecolote Shores Park North Playground

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  Landscape Architecture

Address

1344 E Mission Bay Dr., San Diego, CA 92109

Owner / Developer

City of San Diego

Architect / Designer

Schmidt Design Group

Photo Credit

Devon Boutte (Images 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7); Jack Streigel (Image 4); Emma Darnell (Image 8)

The improvements to the Tecolote Shores Park North Playground transformed a dilapidated playground into a vibrant recreational destination replete with an array of play opportunities for children and fitness accommodations for adults, all crafted with accessibility in mind.

The playground design draws inspiration from the thousands of kites flown on the adjacent lawn each year, featuring colorful towers and shade structures crafted to evoke the ionic forms of box and diamond kites. Billowing, breeze-like forms flow through the playground’s other amenities, creating a sense of movement throughout the site.

The other end of the playground features a nearly 6,000-square-foot fitness area promoting active living for older children and adults. An obstacle course comprised of pull-up bars, monkey bars, climbing ropes, and climbing structures encourages explorative exercise throughout the area. Three ellipticals, part of a pilot test of new fitness equipment with moving parts, face the water to provide users with a view as they engage in cardio and balance exercises. The playground has been lovingly embraced by the Mission Bay community and has remained immensely popular since its opening. “What a wonderful park,” remarked one user on Google Reviews. “This really brought about a sense of community.”

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