Project Play
Project Play – Esther Short Park
Project Play is a vision to strategically place fully accessible playgrounds at parks throughout Vancouver, where people of all ages and abilities can thrive together through play. We are excited to share that in 2022 the play area at Esther Short Community Park (W. 8th & Columbia) will be reimagined using the radically inclusive model designed by our partners at Harper's Playground!
Why Esther Short Community Park?
The play equipment at Esther Short Park was installed in 1998 and at over 20 years old, is ready to be replaced. As one of Vancouver’s most popular parks, a fully inclusive playground at Esther Short Park will be used by many residents and visitors.
The new play area will incorporate accessible equipment and natural materials that are key to the Harper’s Playground model. Decorative elements will be added to reference the historical significance of the park and honor its Victorian design.
Funding for the new play area at Esther Short Park is being covered by fees collected from developers during the Vancouver Waterfront Park project. There are no direct costs to Vancouver residents.
What is the Harper's Playground "Radically Inclusive" model?
- Physically Inviting: Is it accessible? And is it adaptive? Universal accessibility ensures that everybody can get everywhere and to everything. Adaptability means everything is designed to suit different conditions or needs.
- Socially Inviting: Is it natural? Is it communal? Nature provides a calming effect on our mental and physical health, reducing fear, stress, and anger. Open, communal spaces allow people to gather, connect and share.
- Emotionally Inviting: Is it thoughtful? Is it beautiful? Humans are impacted by their surroundings. Small, thoughtful details that provide comfort and delight the senses have a positive effect on a person’s wellbeing.
The most recent U.S Census data shows that one in five Americans has a disability. Most playgrounds incorporate basic ramps and a few wheelchair accessible play options to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act’s 2010 playground rules. Even with these changes, many members of our community are left on the sidelines.
In addition to making the park more inviting for people with disabilities, there is overwhelming evidence that unstructured play environments with natural features are also preferred by children who do not experience disability. We are excited to create a truly inclusive and welcoming space at Esther Short Park, where people of all abilities can play together and thrive.
Design Highlights
- Double Slide & Play Mound
- Boulder Scramble
- Climbing Dome
- Zero Entry Merry Go All
- Swings
- Roxall See-Saw
- Music Garden
- Increased Seating
- Additional trees and landscaping
View the design plans for Esther Short Park in an interactive PDF here. Once the file is opened, click on any feature with white text to see a real-life photo.
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Tell us what you think! We welcome your comments about the planned park improvements at Esther Short Park.
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about 2 months ago
Redesign the Redesign
A playground can be a place for kids of all abilities to play and have fun. That should not mean that because some children can't climb and play on equipment that you strip it away from the majority that can. It should be designed more toward leveled play areas where all kids can access the grounds, play together, and also be able to climb high, swing high, and slide. My child's favorite part of every single playground is the equipment, and he loves the current park. With the amount of children that frequent Esther Short Park this design does not give them enough to play on. Being inclusive means considering ALL children's needs and desires and this can be easily achieved. This design falls extremely short of that.
2 months ago
The seesaw & merry-go-round are good ideas, but overall this looks like a big downgrade from the existing park.
Looks boring
2 months ago
I think it looks lovely! Maybe a water pump and trough for small kids to splash in?
about 2 months ago
Not enough benches/seatings
2 months ago
Not big enough play structure
The current play structures (fort/slides & swings) are covered with kids especially during busy seasons. We’ve been many times and my littles often have to wait to use features and it’s quite chaotic. The new plan has even less actual play space! Kids like the big structures to climb up and around and multiple slides (2 is not going to cut it) on a sunny day especially during farmers market and special events. There are very few actual swings which is going to increase wait times. While it looks “pretty” we need more space for the kids to actually play and more than just a couple swings.
