Herron Park in Aspen, Colorado is a stunning community greenspace along the bank of the Roaring Fork River. The City determined that the park’s play equipment needed to be replaced and entered into a design-build contract with Earthscape. Drawing inspiration from the previous playground that had a lincoln log motif, the City Council asked Earthscape to design a custom, wood-forward, accessible playground.
The primary playground feature at Herron Park is the oversized rock strata sculpture that has many routes and ways to climb and places to hangout. Without being too literal, the Strata shape and color patterns remind children of the surrounding mountains and their various regions. A non-traditional Flexform ramp gives ADA transfer access up the rear of the sculpture. Suspended nets and monkey bars encourage climbing, swinging and hanging from all directions.
A senior Slide Platform that can be accessed via a Log Jam climber is also intended for older children while a lower Slide Platform is perfect for young children. Both features have a slide and additional post and rope play opportunities.
A Double Bay Swing set has both tot swings (bucket swings) and belt swings so older and younger children can play side-by-side.
All of the playground features offer graduated challenge so that ample opportunities are available for children as they grow and their risk-tolerance levels change!
Looking for other Colorado playgrounds? You can check out more at Sugar Beet Park in Fort Collins, River Park in Breckenridge, or City Park, Washington Park or Inspiration Point, all in Denver!