Central Park
City of San Mateo, California

The Central Park Play Area is the reconstruction of an existing play area in the middle of a mature tree grove.  The site area contains predominately oaks and figs with some trees in excess of 36" diameter.  Tree preservation, and the development of a modern, ADA children’s play area are the foundation for the design.  The main play structure was customized to feel like a “tree house”, and the play structure floor plan was carefully designed to fit within the grove to avoid root and limb damage.  The Central Park Play Area won the 1994 CPRS Award of Excellence.  SFE provided public facilitation, master planning, design development, construction documents and construction administration.

Some of the key features of the Central Park Play include: Disabled accessible play area; Children’s train; Preservation of numerous existing trees; Renovation of existing restroom.