When the kids at Goat Mountain Kids Centre, located in Lucerne School, go outside to play, they have easy and regular access to the adjacent school garden and playgrounds as well as community parks, beaches, and forest classrooms. Beyond that, a small dedicated play space assigned to the centre has been uniquely designed to maximize play opportunity, inspire imagination and creativity, and promote development of gross motor skills. In early 2020, when development of the centre was underway, local artist and public space designer Petra Hekkenberg was awarded the contract to design and develop the space – and now her creation is a reality. After consulting with MQN Architects (the centre’s designers), SD10, Goat Mountain Kids Society and representatives of the Sinixt Nation, Petra crafted a highly attractive and interactive play space including an in-ground hill slide, wooden mud kitchen, Japanese inspired moon bridge, climbing and sitting logs and rocks, covered busy board, outdoor instruments, shade cover, and more. Dylan Jones of Jones Building Services worked with Petra to construct the play features on the ground. You can’t walk by this play space without admiring the beautiful hand painted mural featuring local geography, wildlife and Sinixt culture. For more about the playground, mural, design process, and local context, visit Petra’s website at http://www.petrahekkenberg.nl/projecten/outdoor-play-area.html.
Goat Mountain Kids Society 