SALT DESIGN STUDIO worked with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation on a new nature-inspired play space at McMichael Park. Located in the East Falls neighborhood, McMichael Park is a 5.6 acre public park surrounded by a diverse user group of long-time residents and a burgeoning population of young family homeowners. Through community participation and an iterative, responsive process, SALT designed an inclusive and stimulating environment for play and social interaction for neighbors of all ages. The design sensitively integrates new features within the existing woodland context of the park, and accommodates the program needs of various neighborhood groups.

Key design features include: logs, boulders, and nature-inspired play equipment for adventurous play; low-maintenance, native understory trees to diversify park ecosystem; porous play surface to maximize rainwater infiltration; and gathering and social spaces for all neighbors.

Photography: Sahar Coston-Hardy