On the banks of the Hempstead Bay On Long Island, a new urban quarter has been built on a former industrial site. Garvies Point was created. A promenade, flats, restaurants and open spaces stretch along an estuary - including a playground that has quickly become the area's trademark: the Garvies Point Playground with the unmistakable Dalben tower from Kaiser & Kühne.
The place - living, promenade and playground on Hempstead Bay
Garvies Point is located in Glen Cove, NY, directly on the water. The development of the site has been a topic of discussion in the city for decades: a new, mixed-use neighbourhood with flats, parks and access to the bay was created from what was once a heavily polluted industrial wasteland.
The playground is located on the edge of a large lawn, with a view across the waterfront to the Glen Cove Creek. Behind it are wooded areas, while the surrounding residential buildings give the place the character of a small village.
The task - a playground as a visible landmark
The landscape architecture office MPFP was deliberately not looking for a „typical“ urban playground with the usual mix of swings, slides and climbing frames for Garvies Point. What was wanted was a striking vertical play equipment, which is visible from everywhere in the neighbourhood and magically attracts children.
The planning team therefore turned to European manufacturers - with the aim of finding an unusual tower that stands out from the ordinary and gives the neighbourhood its own playful signature.
Our solution - Dalben tower and play equipment from Kaiser & Kühne
About our long-standing partner Goric Playgrounds MPFP came across the Dale towers from Kaiser & Kühne. In close collaboration, suitable variants, colour accents and additional play equipment were selected and technically tailored to the project. Goric drew up the specifications and provided support with plans, CAD data and approvals in accordance with North American standards.
The Garvies Point Playground uses, among other things:
- one Dalben tower combination with high tunnel slide as vertical centre point
- additional Climbing and exercise equipment for different age groups
- rotating range of games such as the one supplied by Goric Whirlwind/moon gyroscope
- Separate play areas for younger children with lower platforms and more easily accessible elements
The tower forms the centre of the playground, visible from afar - children climb to the top via nets and platforms and hurtle back down through the tunnel slide. The other equipment adds balancing, turning, hanging and rolling to the programme.
Significance for the neighbourhood and urban society
The history of the site - from a contaminated industrial area to a newly developed urban neighbourhood - made the project politically sensitive. The playground should visibly show that Garvies Point is more than just residential development: a place for families, encounters and public quality.
Shortly after the opening, the Garvies Point Playground a favourite place for children and families from Glen Cove. The Dalben Tower with its eye-catching silhouette and tunnel slide has become a favourite place for children and families from Glen Cove. Recognisable features of the entire playground exactly as the planning team had imagined.
Note on the source:
The project description is based on the Goric Marketing Group USA, Inc. published article „Goric's Towering Pyramid Gives Garvies Point a Signature Playground“ and the project page „Garvies Point Playground“ by Goric. Goric Marketing Group USA, Inc.
