Sheets Family Park

JPR worked with the design team and stakeholders to develop conceptual site designs for the Sheets Family Park, located in Steuben County at the YMCA. The concept encompassed both the planning and organization of an inclusive park with playground spaces, recirculating splash pad, pickleball courts, and a restroom building with an open air pavilion.

As the project transitioned into construction documents, JPR led design efforts for the new park and spearheaded stakeholder and community engagement sessions. To strengthen the inclusive design and build community consensus, JPR facilitated a meeting with key stakeholders. Meeting with individuals from local organizations including the Children’s Autism Center, Easter seals Rise, Steuben County Metropolitan School District, and Cameron Memorial Hospital, the team received valuable input on methods and strategies for incorporating inclusive elements and programming into the park design that caters to individuals of all ages and diverse ranges of abilities.

The playground and recirculating splash pad have been designed to include spaces for the 2–5 and 5–12 age groups while also encompassing a variety of additional play elements that appeal to all ages, such as natural play mounds. The pickleball courts, two of which are championship courts and sized for wheelchair play, include a variety of seating and observation areas and can be used for both formal competitions and individual pickup games.

The overall site design uses accessible transition spaces to strategically separate elements while also maintaining view sheds. This includes the deliberate use of wide paths, shaded and non-shaded seating areas, and pockets of vegetation.

When completed, this project will provide the community with an inclusive park that can be enjoyed by everyone – no matter their physical or social abilities. It will also provide the community with its first splash pad, giving those who may not have access to the nearby lakes the ability to cool off on a hot summer day.

‍