Although only memories remain of hot summer afternoons, children living in Tychy need not fear extreme temperatures next year. There are 22 parks in the city, and even if those aren't enough to cool off, they'll find solace in an unusual playground designed by Robert Skitek of the RS+ studio. This is the second such place in Tychy - will it repeat the success of the promenade on Lake Paprocany?
Jaworek Park in Tychy is a green enclave that stretches between the buildings of the socmodernist "Ł" and "K." housing estates." There is plenty of space to relax here, both in the sun, on the green grass, and in the shadows of the spreading treetops. There is a toboggan hill, a skate park and walking paths with a small watercourse over which wooden piers are thrown, designed, incidentally, with the participation of the author of the object presented today. In August this year, a completely new and unique space appeared in the park - a water playground. Within a month, when it was open, it was visited by crowds. What attracted so many residents to this place?
Tychy: Water playground in Jaworek Park
Photo: Tomasz Zakrzewski © RS+
Ambitious plans for Park Jaworek
The first concepts for a comprehensive revitalization of the area appeared as early as 2018. At the time, Robert Skitek, in cooperation with the city of Tychy, developed a project called "Active Jaworek," which included the construction of a climbing wall, bulodrome, roller coaster or pumptrack. The biggest attraction was to be another water playground, after the Paprocian one. The entire concept of "Active Jaworek" was not realized, but its most interesting element was made available to residents in early August. After several months of construction at a cost of PLN 11.6 million , the Natural and Water Playground in Jaworek Park was opened.
Tychy: Water Playground in Jaworek Park
Photo: Tomasz Zakrzewski © RS+
Water playground in Tychy
The area of almost 8,000 square meters has been divided into two main functional zones - a water playground and a natural playground. The former is located on the eastern side of the complex. The designer placed it within an oblong basin, which was created by piling up two small hills. Inside it was a space for water play, surrounded in part by a metal railing and a winding, elongated bench, the backs of which also serve as a fence. Around the basin there was also space for a wooden terrace from which one can access the play area.
Tychy: Water Playground in Jaworek Park
Photo: Tomasz Zakrzewski © RS+
On the appropriately prepared surface, 20 devices designed for water play have been placed - there are fountains, showers and small wading pools. All in attractive, nature-inspired forms. Some resemble large flowers and spreading trees, while others look like pink flamingos wading in water. The aforementioned hills surrounding the water basin serve a dual function. On the one hand, they create a clear framework for the newly arranged space, while on the other they "isolate" it from its surroundings.
Tychy: Water Playground in Jaworek Park
Photo: Tomasz Zakrzewski © RS+
We located the water playground in a basin surrounded by hills alluding to the shape of the nearby toboggan hill. The created hills create a natural protection of nearby buildings from the noise of playing children.
- Robert Skitek writes about his realization.
The hills also create a kind of screen, shielding playground users from the sun or gusts of wind. The slope of the southern hill was reinforced with a concrete wall. Behind it, inside the hillock, there are technical rooms. Two pairs of shower showers and changing rooms have also been placed next to the wall.
Tychy: Water Playground in Jaworek Park
Photo: Tomasz Zakrzewski © RS+
communication is the basis
The most spectacular element of the water section, however, is the footbridge thrown over it. Made of reinforced concrete, the crossing actually consists of two piers, the runs of which connect at the tops of the hills. The footbridge provides a convenient vantage point from which caregivers and parents can keep an eye on children playing in the playground. However, this is not the only reason for the decision to build bridges. Equally important is their communicative function - thanks to the structures, movement through Jaworek Park has not been disrupted by the construction of the new playground, and walkers and cyclists do not have to bypass the area - instead, they can simply walk or ride over it. The flowing, organic forms of the piers allowed the entire complex to fit into the landscape of the park, covering like a canopy the "ravine" formed between the two hills.
Tychy: Water Playground in Jaworek Park
Photo: Tomasz Zakrzewski © RS+
Resting in a wicker shelter
All this, however, is only half of the Tychy establishment in Park Jaworek. The second part is a natural playground. Its design was created in cooperation with Tomasz Kurtek of Landscape Design Studio, who is also responsible for the landscape architecture of the entire project. The natural playground is a space where the objects used for play were created, for the most part, using natural materials - wood, wicker, gravel, sand or jute ropes. There are small platforms, slides, hammocks, tunnels and wooden stakes on which children can exercise their sense of balance. Sensory and educational elements, such as a magnifying glass and a sound installation, were also taken care of. It was an interesting idea to arrange hiding places in the form of small huts and covered corridors, woven from wicker and thicker bamboo. There were also rain gardens and plenty of greenery, both low and high. What more could one want? Probably just the return of summer heat.
