Plans are developing for a natural playground at the Davis River Front Park.
The proposed location for the natural playground is near the ship playground in the park.
A natural playground is space with as little man made components as possible. These designs use plants, hills, trees, and rocks to represent a natural place like a forest. Natural playground designs shy away from plastic and metal fixtures.
Cory Chase is “steering the boat” on the project. He sees the project as an opportunity to promote community engagement.
Chase was recently appointed to the Tucker County Development Authority Board. At the Try This West Virginia conference in Buckhannon, Chase was exposed to the natural playground concept.
He applied for a small grant at the conference, and then used the $1,500 from the grant to pay a designer to draw up unique plans for the park.
David Hill, owner of Three Trees Design and Landscaping in Charleston, West Virginia was chosen as the designer. Over Labor Day weekend Hill came to the River Front Park and presented his design ideas.
The plan is to raise more funds to pay for the park itself. The Tucker County Development Authority contributed $1,000. The Development Authority Board is presently taking input from the public through the winter, and a final design will be presented in the spring at Davis Town Hall. The specific date of the presentation will be announced as spring nears.
After the presentation, the board will implement the plan with help from the community. The board is seeking donations and volunteers to help move the project forward. The amount of money needed will vary depending on the chosen design. Chase predicts the project will range from $6,000 to $8,000.
Davis Parks and Recreation Board already has a playground near the intended spot of the natural playground. “We want it to gel, and overlap with them,” Chase said. “We are hoping to integrate the natural playground into the park’s overall master plan.”
Clarification
After hiring the designer, Chase applied for and received $1,000 from a grant through the Tucker County Cultural District Authority, not the Tucker County Development Authority.
- Kate Long is a contributor to the project.
