Indoor Recreation Center for Children in AshlandKayDee Johnson

Northland College

Background

Research Questions

Methods

Key Survey Findings

Proposed Site Design and Layout

Conclusion

Footnotes

Extensive research indicates the importance of recreation for children for physical health, social capital, and community development. A lack of recreation opportunities for children in the Winter has been identified in Ashland by community members and the Center for Rural Communities at Northland College.1

This project utilized a mixed methods approach to determine what would be the best plan for Ashland’s needs for a recreation center.

Online surveys were used to collect data about children’s recreation habits and what they would want from a new facility. The survey was sent to approximately 1,500 parents with school age children in the Ashland School District. The 426 responses were returned for a response rate of 28.4 percent.

Recreation centers in other communities were researched to find best practices that incorporate sustainable features and intentional planning to engage children.

Finally, the data from the survey and the best practice findings were carefully considered and combined to develop a plan for a recreational center that suits the needs of Ashland.

• Are current recreation centers meeting the needs of Ashland community members?

• If not, how can we plan to meets those needs?• How can it be a sustainable benefit for the community?

Best Practices

Overhead View of Proposed Site – Courtesy of Google Maps

1 The Center for Rural Communities did multiple research projects that lead to this study including, Ashland, Wisconsin: A Community Study, Assets & Amenities, and Strategies to Optimize Ashland’s Resources Forum. 2 Youth Center in Pierrelayehttp://www.archdaily.com/40323/children%25e2%2580%2599s-recreation-centre-air-architecture3Shanghai Youth Center http://www.architectmagazine.com/project-gallery/youth-center-of-qingpu4 Peace Youth Center http://www.architectmagazine.com/project-gallery/peace-corner-youth-center

Youth Center in Pierrelave, France Peace Youth Center in Chigago, IL

Green Features: • Natural lighting• Natural ventilation • Green roof• LEED certification

Below are examples of current recreation center best practices. On the left is a center built among warehouses in rural Pierrelaye, France. The back side of the building that is shown uses bright colors and geometric shapes to appeal to children.2 A youth center in Shanghai had the goal of, “a better, more stimulating learning environment for its users”. They achieved this by making the center more human-sized and village-like than the surround city in order to be more welcoming to children.3 Finally, on the left is the Peace Youth Center that was infill development. Though it is small (8000 square feet) it uses transparent building materials such as glass and bright colors to make children feel welcomed and safe in a harsh community.4

Space/Place Considerations:• Fit with the community• Simplicity • Bright colors• Transparency • Welcoming

Acknowledgements• The Center for Rural Communities collected data that

demonstrated the initial need for this project to happen • Thanks to Brian Tochterman, Ana Tochterman, Brandon

Hofstedt, and Petra Hofstedt for their guidance and assistance

Children’s recreation has proven to be an important issue to the parents of Ashland, WI, as well as around the world. Recreation centers are important to childhood development physically, socially, mentally, and creates more community engagement. There are countless benefits for children and their communities from increased opportunity to recreation. This project is taking the specific needs of Ashland along with the best practices from notable facilities around the world to make a useful and sustainable recreation option for the Ashland community children.

450'-0"

125'

-0"

250'-0"

125'

-0"

Pool

Playground Space

Climbing/Bouldering

Area

70'-0"

85'-

0"

40'-0"

22'-

7 19

/64"

90'-

0"

95'-0"

100'

-0"

65'-0"

70'-0"

101'

-2 3

/16"

200'-0"

Court

150'-0"

75'-

0" Turf

50'-0"

Stairs/Storage

Welcome Desk/Lockers

128'-10 15/64"

Ground Floor

View from Beaser Avenue

View from 11th Avenue Ground Floor Layout

This site was chosen because of it’s central location and proximity to neighborhoods and theTri-County Corridor. This allows for increased accessibility to children.

The center is a single level with a loft (2500 sq. ft.) on the east side of the building. There is a green roof that will also allow for outdoor seating and garden space.