KZLA was hired in 2021 to develop the designs for two playgrounds: Spy Pond Playground and the Parmenter School Playground. The design for the Spy Pond Playground—a destination park for the community —includes rot-resistant wooden play equipment to blend into the site’s naturalistic aesthetic. A poured-in-place rubber pathway connects various play elements to create an accessible route for inclusive play. The rectangular colored shapes and graphics in the rubber surfacing provide additional play value, while also paying homage to the site’s history of ice harvesting.

The design for the Parmenter School Playground is a much different play space: adjacent to a former school building, nestled in a neighborhood. The playground take advantages of the topography and provides various activities that incorporate the slope of the site. Improvements include two embankment slides (2-5yr and 5-12yr) as well as accessible ramps, plenty of seating, and an accessible picnic table.

The design process included several public hearings, Park and Recreation Committee meetings, as well as Conservation Commission hearings.