DESIGN-BUILD SIMON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL LID PLAYGROUND
This playground is a design-build project for low impact development (LID) play area including demolition and removal of existing asphalt pavement play yard, and the installation of new civil and landscape elements. Improvements consisted of a dry river drainage swale, water feature, permeable paving, bioswales, bioretention facilities, stormwater elements and piping, erosion/sediment control, pedestrian bridges, amphitheater seating, observation deck over the new bioretention / rain garden area, new fencing, playground equipment, play surfaces, paving elements, site amenities, and plantings. Other project components include flexi-pave track / trail, natural play elements, new lighting, and interpretive signage.
Project Significance
This bioretention area is one of the largest of all District of Columbia Public Schools and extends into the adjacent DPR property to provide a neighborhood amenity. The project was jointly funded by DCPS and DDOE as a way to showcase DDOE’s new storm water regulations.
Existing soil conditions presented the team with challenges. It was difficult to implement the original design of the bioretention facilities so redesigns were necessary to solve the problems. The FMCC and the designer, AMT, worked closely with DOEE and DGS, as well as DCPS stakeholder to design and construct this educational amenity for the school. The bioretention areas were built both for function and as an educational tool allowing the students to observe the sustainability aspects and seasonal changes of the plant population.
Award-Winner: This project was recognized with a Merit Award for Social Impact, awarded to LandDesign by the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) Potomac Chapter in May of 2018.
Location : District of Columbia
Value : $ 3.4 Million
Client : DC Department of General Services
Type : Design-Build, Green / Environmental, Parks & Athletic Fields
