FEB 2019

Play, as we see it, is the raw resource needed to grow creativity and innovation. Playground designers may just have the sweetest job in the world because every project is another opportunity to dig in and play.

We even play with our vegetables...

When the City of Fort Collins asked Earthscape to help tell the story of the hugely significant sugar beet industry in Northern Colorado, we ploughed into our collaborative ideation process to take the concept and make it whimsical, engaging and full of challenging play opportunities for kids of all ages and abilities. We were also surprised by how much our whole TEAM would embrace this root-vegetable-turned-giant-play-sculpture!

As it came together, we couldn't help ourselves... "we got the beet" became our new office theme song.  In tribute, we made our first ever Earthscape MUSIC VIDEO!  Take a minute to enjoy our musical interlude - with thanks to the glorious 80's and to the Go-Go's!

If you are in Colorado, check out the sugar beet sculpture currently featured as the interactive playable centrepiece of Once Upon a Playground; an exhibit at the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery exploring the history of outdoor play. 

In May, the sugar beet sculpture will move to its permanent home in a new Fort Collins city park where roots, leaves and a junior beet friend will be added!

In the current issue of Landscape Architecture Magazine, Haniya Rae writes about Earthscape's design process and about Washington Park in Denver, CO where giant, climbable bug sculptures make infestation fun! This new destination playground, collaboratively designed by Earthscape and Stream Design, encourages adventurous, natural play.  It also features a high-challenge log jam and a pair of connected tree house forts where kids imagine they are climbing through the forest canopy.