1. Proposal 4 by Chia Keh Chian
Introduction
Relaxant Park is a high quality diversified park, recreation and open space
system that provides for all age and interest groups. It allows you to do both –
slow down or speed up. Chill out on its manicured lawns and have a family
picnic; a brief respite from the work week rush. Or get your heart racing by
hitting its jogging paths with sprightly vigour. With the idyllic man-made lake
at its centre, Relaxant Park truly represents an ideal getaway from the
tribulations of the busy life.
Rationale & Client Evaluation
After carrying out the site visit and SWOT analysis, we discovered the strength,
weakness, opportunity and threats of this site. We also study about the
facilities nearby and the potential of the site. There are a lot of residential
areas surrounding this location, but there is no main recreation area for the
residents to relax, have gathering and meet new people. Therefore, I
decided to transform this empty land to a park which focuses on the purpose
to be a recreation area.
2. Objective
1. Provide a system of neighbourhood and community parks that are within
walking distance of residents.
2. To create open space as a balance to man-made development.
3. To preserve and protect areas of important environmental consideration,
and to incorporate such areas into the park and recreation system.
4. To provide facilities for both passive and active recreation to meet the
needs of all residents living nearby.
5. Provide parks with activities for all age groups and abilities, equally
distributed throughout the community.
6. Develop athletic facilities that meet the highest quality competitive playing
standards and requirements for all age groups, skill levels, and recreational
interests.
7. Develop new multi-use facilities to increase flexibility of use for new
activities.
8. Provide operation and maintenance to insure safe, serviceable, and
functional parks and facilities.
9. Promote healthy physical and mental well-being.
10. Design and develop facilities that are sustainable, accessible, safe and
easy to maintain with life-cycle features that account for long term costs and
benefits.
3. Projects Benefits
There are a lot of benefits a park can bring, including community benefits,
health benefits, economic benefits and environmental benefits.
COMMUNITY BENEFITS: Parks and Recreation sources give communities an
important identity. Well-maintained, accessible parks and recreation facilities
are key elements of safe, strong, family-friendly communities.
Citizens’ qualities of life improve when they engaged with their parks
and recreation systems.
Community recreation reduces depression, alienation, loneliness, and
anti-social behaviour.
Parks and recreation provide opportunities that encourage citizens to
get involved in their communities – as volunteers, stewards, advocates
and students.
HEALTH BENEFITS: Access to parks and recreation facilities leads to healthy
lifestyles for people of all ages.
Strong evidence shows that when people go to parks, they exercise more.
Every time sedentary people walk a mile, they add 21 minutes to their
life. On average, every hour they spend exercising increases their life
expectancy by two hours.
Exercise increases the brain’s capacity for learning and developing
skills.
Physical activities such as jogging, wall climbing and skating can
improve mental health effectively.
ECONOMIC BENEFITS: Parks enhance property values, contribute to
healthy and productive workforces and help attract and retain businesses.
Parks and recreation facilities make communities desirable places to
live, work, play and visit.
4. Parks and recreation services motivate business relocation and
expansion in the community.
In a national public opinions survey, 57% of respondents said that if they
were in the market to buy a new home, they would be more likely to
select a home if it was close to parks and open space.
ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS: Parks, open spaces and trails play a key role in
preserving water and air quality, reducing congestion and protecting wildlife.
Through the provision of parks, open spaces and protected natural
environment, recreation can contribute to the environmental health of
our communities.
Green plants help to beautify the area and purify the air by absorbing
carbon dioxide and release oxygen.
Trail and pathway systems save energy and protect air quality by
encouraging non-motorized transportation.
5. Project Concept
1. Close to nature
The main concept of this project focuses on nature and greenery in the site.
There are trees, shrubs, plants and grass in the park. Tall plants surrounding
Relaxant Park act as vertical screen, screening out unwanted views and
provide a serene, healthy, friendly and natural environment for residents and
visitors. They can take a leisurely walk and enjoy the fresh air and the great
outdoors with its captivating vistas.
2. Relaxing and refreshing space
Relaxant Park provides a relaxing and comfortable space for people to
release stress and smooth their daily problems of increasingly busy lives and
crowded living sites. It features a picturesque man-made lake, a children’s
playground complete with child-proof play equipment, park benches,
outdoor BBQ area and a foot-massaging pathway to complete the whole
relaxing experience.
6. 3. Tranquillity
Relaxant Park is a well-designed tranquil retreats and meditative park. The
quiet environment comforts mind and spirit, encourages residents and visitors
to unwind and relax. It also provides an ideal open space for meditation and
yoga.
Name
This park is named as ‘Relaxant Park’. ‘Relaxant’ is defined as ‘something that
helps to relax’ in English, it also brings the meaning of ‘relax’ in Latin.
10. Entrance
Family area
Playground
Benches
Tasteful Welcoming Entrances
Entrance is the first time people will see when they
go to a place. In my proposal, a wooden arbor
will be used as an inviting entrance to Relaxant
Park, providing a pleasing view from exterior.
The entrance’s evergreen plantings are gracious
and welcoming, directing the visitors to the
desired area.
Inclusive play space
In family area, there will be a children’s
playground complete with child-proof play
equipment, including slides, see saw, swings and
spring rides. With those equipments and safe
surfacing, the playground allows children to have
fun, learn and develop social skills, imagination
and self-care skills without causing worries among
parents.
Iconic park benches
A lot of benches will be located in everywhere of
the park for visitors to rest. Visitors are encouraged
to sit and slow down the journey and aspire strollers
to focus on the moment, then enjoy views
discovered around the park.
11. Natural area
Foot-massaging
pathway
Lush greenery
I also proposed a dry landscape area in this park,
consisting only of trees, stones, raked gravel or
sand and moss. They are meant to foster
contemplation, yoga and meditation. Green
plants purify the air by absorbing carbon dioxide
and release oxygen, improving the quality of air
and reduce air pollution.
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Path to good health
Foot-massaging pathway is provided in my
proposed park, it is constructed based on the
principles of reflexology, which is an ancient Asian
therapy that links health and well-being to specific
points on the feet, ears and hand.
Using the foot as a guide to overall health,
pressure is applied to areas that correspond to
vital organs, glands, nerves and muscles.
This pathway is able to improve residents’ and
visitors’ life quality because it offers more than
relaxation; it is also a type of self-care which does
not require a lot of time.
12. Open Play Space
Amphitheatre
Active Area
Mini skate park
Climbing Wall
An open-air place used for outdoor events,
performances, sports and entertainment is include
in my proposal. It provides a platform to show
residents’ talents and bring people together.
Transcend your limits!
A dream come true for skateboarders, a purpose-
built recreational environment made to provide
excellent places to recreate, socialize and
improve their skills. Unlike the big skate park, this
mini skate park only contain half-pipe and quarter
pipe. They are designed specifically to provide
unique challenges to users.
As one of the world’s fastest growing mainstream
sporting activities, an artificially constructed wall
with grips for feet and hand is built in this park. It is
not just a sport for adrenaline junkies, with good
instruction and modern safety equipment, it is safe
and enjoyable for anyone of any age to climb at
their own comfort and ability level.
13. Lawn area/Open space
Outdoor BBQ Area
Picnic area
Pavilion
I plan to have a round deck surround barbecue
pit in my park. It is available for use on first-come,
first-served basis, or a reservation can be made. It
is a perfect location for events such as birthday
parties and social gatherings.
There will also be picnic area in my proposed park.
Family picnic offers considerable benefits for the
health of the individual and as well as a bonding
experience for the family. It is a great stress buster
as it helps reduce the pressure and anxiety related
to work and home. There are picnicking facilities
in this beautiful, natural setting. People are free to
find a peaceful, shady spot to sit down and have
a good time with their loved one.
A pavilion is built with storage, seating, water and
electricity for convenience purposes.
14. Public toilet
Jogging path
Man-made lake
Basic amenities such as toilets are provided for
hygiene and comfort of the residents.
Along Relaxant park there is a wide jogging path
surrounding the man-made lake. It is a haven for
joggers, strollers, kids and adults alike. A jog in the
great outdoors is better for body and mind than
pounding the treadmill. It boosts energy and
improve mood effectively.
In my proposal, there will be a man-made lake in
the core, which is the only water feature in this
park. Calming sound of lake can camouflage
external noises and provide a tranquil environment
for users. Besides, it also acts as cooling agent and
water source of the park.
15. Materials Used in Constructing
Area Material Reason
Playground poured-in-place rubber surfacing One of the most
accessible options
available
Ideal for themed
graphics to add
play value and
colour
Easy to clean –
remove foreign
objects with a leaf
blower
Safe, absorb
impulsive force and
increase time
impact if children
fall down, prevent
injuries.
Climbing wall thick multiplex board (plywood) Strongest building
material
Split-proof
Has enough
flexibility to resist
cracking
16. Mini skate
park
wood, steel, fiberglass, composites (or
polymers), and concrete.
Durable
Strong
Safe
Jogging track Rubber running track
Foundation: Concrete, Asphalt
Thickness: 13mm
All weather purpose
Seamless
Economical
Surface smoothness
of base
requirements not
high
Easy to maintain
Elastic
Durable
BBQ Area Timber Attractive
Authentic
elegance
Strong
Durable
Require very little
maintenance
Blend neatly with
the existing park
Bio-degradable
Park bench recycled plastic bench and powder-
coated cast aluminium frame
maintenance-free
eco-friendly
attractive
stable
strong
No Painting or
Sealing Required
Splinter Free
Recycled Plastic &
Steel Can Be
Recycled
17. Lighting
Street light
Amphitheatre
In my proposal, street lights are installed
sufficiently in the park. The main
purpose is night time visibility for security
and safety. Besides, street light helps in
geographic orientation, as people can
use well-lit focal points as landmarks to
help them find their way. It is also a
great way to make the park looks more
attractive.
Lighting plays an important role in
bringing life to performances and
events that will be held at night in the
amphitheatre.
Light should be useful at night, not a
visual eyesore nor an obstacle during
the day. There will be general ambient
lighting when there is no performance.
The lighting is sufficient for visitor to see,
sit and linger in the area.
During regular shows, the surrounding is
50 lux and the stage is at 750 lux.
During special performance or events,
supplementary lighting is used, for
example, followspot, dimmers and LED.
Normally, it targets of 1250 lux on stage.
18. Softscape
Shrubs
Acalypha Hispida Andrographis Paniculata Arachis Pintoi Anthurium Andraeanum
Palms
Arenga Engleri Asterogyne Martiana Archontophoenix Alexandrae
Trees
Lagerstroemia speciose Ficus Benjamina Golden Ficus Microcarpa Golden Pisonia Grandis
- Tall trees and shrubs are planted as vertical screens from traffic passing by.
Turf
Zoysia Bahia
- Tolerate with many types of soil, mowing height is low, fully tolerate with sun.
19. Natural Element
Stones Waterway- Man-made lake
Hardscape
Park Bench Playground Foot-massaging pathway
Pavilion Arbor Deck & BBQ pit
Amphitheatre Skate park Climbing wall
20. Conclusion
At the end of this project, I have conclude that it is vital to study about a site
before developing it. It is important to identify the strengths and weaknesses,
and find out ways to make use of the good one and to improve the bad one.
A park is very suitable to build at this site because it is surrounded by
residential area, it is important for the residents to take a break and unwind in
a comforting landscape park.
I’ve learnt how to observe, analysis, document, and propose a project brief. I
am also able to justify the feasibility of a development and improve the
proposal to serve the purpose of its development.
