GEN PARK (Ideation)
Parks Beyond Tomorrow: A Design Odyssey with Indy Parks
TIMELINE
14 Days
SECTOR
Community Development
Urban Planning
Landscape Architecture
ROLE
UX Researcher UX Designer
TOOLS
FigJam
Canvas
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Introduction
Gen Park is a visionary project that aims to revolutionize public spaces by addressing a range of challenges faced by parks today. From accessibility issues to weather-related concerns and the need for more engaging environments, Gen Park seeks to redefine what a park can be. Through innovative design and a user-centered approach, Gen Park is not just a park; it's a statement about inclusivity, creativity, and community engagement.
Client's Vision
The client (Indy Parks and Recreation) wanted the students to design the "Parks of the Future". This means the client was expecting the students to be creative and imagine what public recreation spaces could be like in the future.
What
Transforming Public Spaces with Inclusive and Engaging Designs.
Who
Families, children, seniors, individuals with disabilities
Why
To create accessible, engaging parks that foster community connection and overcome barriers of accessibility and weather.
Solution
Gen Park proposes innovative solutions to transform public spaces into inclusive and engaging parks for families, children, seniors, and individuals with disabilities.
- Optimizable playground equipment catering to diverse abilities and preferences for an inclusive experience.
- Indoor parks with glass buildings offering a sheltered, naturally-lit environment.
- Pop-up parks in underutilized spaces to bring parks closer to communities.
- Engaging children in park design through art and recycling projects to foster a sense of ownership.
Opportunity
How i got the opportunity to participate in the design sprint.
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Research
Target Audience
We conducted semi-structured interviews with park visitors,
- Children aged 8-12 (6 interviews)
- Senior citizens (3 interviews)
- Families (2 interviews)
- Individuals with disabilities (2 interviews)
Aimed to understand experiences, preferences, and suggestions for enhancing park accessibility and engagement.
1. How often do you visit parks, and what are your main reasons for visiting?
2. What aspects of parks do you find most appealing, and are there any challenges you encounter during your visits?
3. How do weather conditions affect your park visits, and what would encourage you to visit parks more frequently?
4. How important is inclusivity in park amenities, particularly for individuals with differently abled or special needs?
5. What additional features or activities would you like to see in parks to enhance your experience?
Kids
Senior Citizen
Family
Differently Abled
Understanding the problem
In the Venn diagram here, I have analyzed the pain points identified by our target audience. Each circle represents a specific group within our target audience, and the overlapping areas indicate shared pain points among these groups.
54%
5%
5%
4%
5%
3%
2%
2%
1%
2%
Kids
Senior Citizen
5%
2%
10%
Family
Differently Abled
Pain points result
Findings from pain points result
Shared Pain Points:
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54% of all participants expressed there pain points about safety, distance to amenities, weather, noise pollution, accessibility, restrooms, and maintenance.
Common Pain Point:
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Kids & Families: 4%
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Kids & Senior Citizens: 3%
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Senior Citizens & Differently abled: 5%
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Families & Differently abled 2%
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Kids, Senior Citizens & Differently abled: 2%
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Kids, Senior Citizens & Families: 2%
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Kids, People with Disability & Families: 1%
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Senior Citizens, Differently abled & Families: 2%
Information ArchitectureHow might we framework (HMW)
Distance​​
Differently Abled
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How might we design temporary or seasonal park features that can be easily installed and removed to create dynamic and ever-changing park experiences?
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How might we design the playground equipment and layout to ensure it is accessible and enjoyable for children and adults with mobility impairments?
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How might we utilize underutilized spaces in the park to create temporary recreational areas or installations that add value and interest to the park environment?
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How might we incorporate tactile maps and audio guides throughout the park to provide visitors with visual impairments with information about the park layout, amenities, and points of interest?
Weather
Engagement
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How might we design park infrastructure that can withstand extreme weather conditions, such as heavy rain or strong winds?
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How might we create interactive installations and art pieces that encourage visitor participation and engagement?
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How might we provide sheltered areas in parks that offer protection from both rain and sun, ensuring visitor comfort?
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How might we incorporate tactile maps and audio guides throughout the park to provide visitors with visual impairments with information about the park layout, amenities, and points of interest?
Affinity Mapping
Distance
Weather
Differently Abled
Engagement
Findings from affinity mapping
Weather-Related Solutions:
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Indoor parks as a solution for visitors to enjoy the park regardless of weather conditions.
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Use of heaters and playgrounds in indoor parks to provide comfort in all weather conditions.
Distance and Accessibility Solutions:
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Pop-up parks as a solution to address the issue of parks being located far from residential areas.
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Use of pop-up parks to create community engagement and provide socialization opportunities for children.
Engagement and Socialization Solutions:
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Involving children in creating their own parks through activities like coloring, paper art, and recycling.
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Using children's designs to create pop-up parks, showcasing their artwork and fostering a sense of ownership and pride.
Inclusivity and Disability Accessibility Solutions:
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Optimizable Playground Equipment designed to meet the needs of children with disabilities, providing a safer and more personalized play environment.
Creative Problem-Solving Process (CPS):
By (CPS) process, we employed roles like dreamer, realist, and critic to finalize ideation. This structured approach facilitated the generation of creative yet practical ideas, leading to innovative solutions for our challenges.
Dreamer​
Critic
This person comes up with new and imaginative ideas without worrying about how practical they are.
This person evaluates the ideas and helps refine them to make them even better
Realist
Critic
Dreamer​
Realist
This person looks at the ideas from a practical standpoint and figures out how to make them work in the real world.
Creative Problem-Solving
Problem 1: Weather Concerns
Solution: Indoor Parks
Create indoor parks within or adjacent to existing parks. These indoor areas would feature a glass structure to allow natural light in and provide views of the surrounding park. They would include a running and walking track, a small playground area, restrooms, and seating. Additionally, these indoor parks could serve as stargazing rooms at night due to their glass construction, providing a unique and enjoyable experience regardless of the weather.
Problem 2: Distance from Parks
Solution: Pop-Up Parks
Utilize pop-up parks, including parks on wheels, to address the issue of parks being located far from residential areas. These temporary parks can be set up in underutilized spaces like empty lots or parking spaces closer to residential areas. They would include green spaces, seating, and recreational activities, providing residents with a convenient and accessible way to enjoy nature and relax without having to travel long distances.
Problem 3: Engagement and Socialization
Solution: Community Engagement through Pop-Up Parks
Create pop-up parks designed to enhance community engagement and socialization. These parks will host a variety of activities and events, including art installations, workshops, performances, and sports activities, to encourage interaction among community members. Changing the park's design or theme every three months will provide a fresh and exciting experience, fostering a sense of newness and excitement. These parks will be designed by children through activities such as painting and crafting, promoting interaction and socialization among them.
Problem 4: Inclusivity for Individuals with Differently abled
Solution: Optimizable Playground Equipment
Design playground equipment that can be easily adjusted and optimized for different purposes and abilities. For example, swings could be adjustable in height or equipped with different types of seats (e.g., infant seats, belt seats, bucket seats) to accommodate children of different ages and abilities. Slides could also be adjustable in height or incline to make them more or less challenging. This equipment would provide a safer and more inclusive play environment for children with disabilities, ensuring that they can enjoy the park alongside their peers.
