On Wednesday, the first of December, Corvus Design and Brooks & Associates conducted in-class workshops with Michelle Barton’s, Ryan Blewett’s, and David Gilliam’s classes at Begich Middle School. While Begich middle school is located further away from Russian Jack Springs Park than the previous schools we attended, many students claimed to be familiar with the park. While a portion of the students were aware of the park, the overwhelming majority of those students only knew or frequented the southern half of Russian Jack Springs Park, with perhaps one or two students claiming to visit the northern section for sporting events. One student who lived in the vicinity stated that her parents don’t allow her to visit that park which is in close proximity to her house, while they do allow her to visit a more populated park that is over twice the distance from home.
While the brainstorming workshops were fairly similar for each class, subtle differences in process and methods allowed us to get different results and feedback from the classes at Begich Middle School in comparison to the previous schools we had visited. The variation in collected feedback was also evident between the three different classes we visited at Begich Middle School. While the wide scope of feedback was sought after, another positive finding was that there were dominating activities, and amenities that spanned between all schools, classes, ages, and walks of life.
Michelle Barton’s Class
What are things you would like to see in your park?
- Play Castle
- Maze
- Lots of huge boulders to climb
- Half football field
- Seats for parents
- Large bridge
- Tunnels or things like tunnels
- Hill for sledding
- Small buildings or rooftops
- Rope ladders
- Color
- Wood instead of metal
- Paintball course
- Amusement park – thrill rides
- Very big hill for sledding
- Place to roller skate
- Tire swings
- Merry go round or carousel
- Place for parents and grandparents to hang out and watch children
- Basketball court
- Volleyball net
- More places to hide
- Monster truck tire swing
- Zip line
- Big wooden jet or helicopter
- Underground park
- Climbing net
- Trees to climb
- Balance beams
- Rocket
- Skate park
- Small water fountains
- Picnic tables
- Benches with covers
Ryan Blewett’s class
What elements would you like to see in the park?
- Five connected tire swings
- A palace or castle with connecting tubes
- A bridge between two tree houses
- Twenty foot tall fence
- Huge bunny jump
- Tarzan ropes
- Designated graffiti wall
- Rocket ship
- Monkey bars with a net underneath
- Super comfy heated seat
- Mile long tunnel
- Candy bar vending machine
- Water chairs
- Trampoline
- Sled shop – make your own sled
- Ice bar – get your own block of ice
- Smoothie / Hot coco bar
- Hammock
- Swings
- Petting zoo
- Benches
- Laser tag
- Roller coasters
- Porch swings for the elderly
- Pond
- Skate / bike park
- Bouncy room
- Giant slide
- Snack bar
- Mini bowling alley
- Bumper cars
- Ramp for sledding hill
- Wind tunnel
- Build a bear station
- Large pole
- Mountain with gigantic slide
- Gummy bear maker
- Ice rink
- Volleyball
- Super soft benches
- Gigantic sledding hill with ski lift
- Ice fort that never melts
- Tree / jungle fort
- 3D maze of ropes
- Twisting tunnel
- Picnic tables
- Trail around playground
- Rock wall
- Water boats
- Underground maze
- Snow sculpture station
- Maze with obstacles
- Steering wheel
- Shelter with picnic tables
- Winter park
- Snow ball fight area
- Track with bleachers
- Bushes outlining a big open field
- Mini golf course
- Snow ball launchers
- Water fountain
- Wobbly bridges
- See saws
- Bathrooms
- Bells
- Giant dominoes
- Communication tubes
- Jumping boxes
- Giant non-gravity dome
- Snow forts
David Gillam’s class
What elements would create a dynamic park?
- People
- Trees and Plants
- Planeterium or viewing area on concrete pad with inlays
- Nice benches
- Beautiful gardens
- Pond
- Trash cans
- Swings
- Hang-out spot
- Volleyball court
- Capture the flag forest
- Chalk drawing area
- Jungle gym
- Arcade
- Little tykes bike trail
- Coloring area
- Roller coaster
- Giant swings
- Obstacle course
- Hippo chair
- Big hammock
- Basketball court
- Badminton court
- Open field
- Outdoor hockey rink (flood basketball court)
- Small water park
- Giant shapes
- Skate park with introductory areas
- Giant map
- Camping area
- Rock climbing wall
- A giant shoe that you can go in like a house
- Exotic trees
- Lake or pond
- Big eating area
- Fire pit
- More picnic places
- Smooth paths
- Good scenery
- Open space for Frisbee, family and church gatherings
- Good sliding hills
- Ice cream
- Food court
- Rocket
- Dog park
- Wishing fountains
- Gardens
- Statues
- Bird watching center
- Warming hut
- Covered areas
- Bowling alley
- Spa
- Sandbox
- Roller skating rink
- Tunnels / tubes
- Maze
- Rope bridge
- Swirly slides
- Fitness center
- Pet rabbits
- Aviary
- Improve existing soccer fields
- Lagoon with paddle boats and stuff
- Bigger playground area
- Keep it clean
- Theme park
- Super-mega playground
- Yoga class
- Movie theatre
- Giant letters that people could go through and play on
- Igloos
- Zip lines
- Gigantic skateboard
- Extreme bench
- Shops
- Hot dog stand every day
- Tug of war rope
- Security guards at every station to prevent vandalism
