Chestermere is a dynamic recreational city with a laid-back feel situated just east of Calgary. The lakeside community is built around picturesque Chestermere Lake which offers year-round recreational opportunities. At the north end of the lake, a new natural playground at Cove Park was created with a nautical theme. Earthscape collaborated with local Landscape Architects at Ground Cubed to develop a concept that is unique to this lakeside playground site.
The playground’s central feature is a dynamic custom ship sculpture that affords high challenge climbing opportunities for children and makes anyone who gets the top want to shout “ahoy-me-mateys!” The ship is slightly sunken and perhaps wrecked on the beach giving it an interesting narrative. The ship is integrated into the poured-in-place rubber “wave” that adds topographical change to the site. A hill slide is also incorporated into the rubber wave berm and a nearby playhut gives shelter to rescued sailors. It provides imaginative play opportunities for younger children or a quiet place to high away. On the opposite side of the bisecting pathway are swings and a small log sculpture. A shaded gathering space offers comfortable seating for park visitors.