The document proposes improvements to an outdoor activity center playground, including constructing an accessible treehouse and resolving drainage issues. It describes the existing conditions of the flooded basement and demolished treehouse. The proposed layout includes a stormwater planter, micropool ED pond, amphitheater, and other equipment. Details are provided for the treehouse design, which would be ADA accessible and meet regulations. Cost estimates total $55,000 to implement the treehouse and site designs. In conclusion, the improvements would enhance accessibility and usability while reducing maintenance needs.

1. Outdoor Activity Center
Playground Improvement Project
Fariha Islam, Renee Qianye Mei, Juhi Brahmbhatt,
Rainie Wanyue Li, Katherine Beaman
1442 Richland Rd SW, Atlanta, GA 30310
Presented by:
December 4, 2016

2. 2
Overview
● Project Scope
● Existing Conditions
● Proposed Layout
● Treehouse Design
● Site Design
○ Stormwater Planter
○ Micropool ED Pond
○ Amphitheater
○ Other Playground Equipment
● Erosion Control
● Cost Estimation
○ Treehouse
○ Site Improvements
● Conclusions

3. Project Scope
3
● Resolve the drainage issue currently impacting the
multi-purpose building
● Propose a renovation plan for the existing
playground, including the structural design of a
treehouse
● Perform a cost estimation on the implementation
of the treehouse and other site improvements

4. Existing Conditions (1)
4
Figure 1: Site Map
● Previously demolished
treehouse
● No educational treehouse
facility currently
Figure 2: Demolition of the Treehouse

5. Existing Conditions (2)
5
• The basement of the multi-purpose
building floods when it rains due to the
slope, causing water damage to the
materials stored in the basement

6. 6
Figure 1: Site Map Figure 3: Location of the Basement
Existing Conditions (3)

7. Proposed Layout
7

8. Site Design (1)
8
Stormwater Planter:
Figure 1: Site Map Figure 4: Brick Raised Planter

9. Site Design (2)
9
● Function: Control and collect stormwater from northwest side
of site & serve as aesthetic planter
Figure 5: Dimensions of Proposed Planter

10. Site Design (3)
10
Micropool ED Pond:
Figure 6: Example of Micropool Pond
● Volume: 398 ft3
● Area: 435.6 ft2

11. Site Design (5)
11
Amphitheater:
● Seats about 20
● Limestone slabs for
seating
Figure 7: Outdoor Amphitheater

12. Site Design (6)
12
Other Playground Equipment:
Figure 8. Log Tunnel & Stepping Logs
Figure 9. Log Bench
Figure 10. Rubber Mulch

13. Erosion Control
● Phase 1:
○ Before construction activities
○ Silt fence around the lowest area of the site
● Phase 2:
○ During construction activities
○ Silt Fence around disturbed area
● Phase 3:
○ Permanent erosion control
○ Permanent vegetation on steep slope around
micropool ED and amphitheater
13

14. Treehouse Design (1)
Features include:
● ADA accessible ramp
● Satisfies playground regulations
● Climbing net canopy and entrance
● Octagonal platform deck
14

15. 15Figure 11: Smaller Diameter View of
Tree
Figure 12: Larger Diameter View of Tree
5 feet
Treehouse Design (2)

16. 9Figure 13: Three dimensional rendering of design
Treehouse
Design (3)
16

17. 17Figure 14: South view of treehouse design with elevations
Treehouse Design (4)

18. 18
Treehouse
Design (5)
Figure 15: Three dimensional rendering of user
perspective on ramp landing

19. ADA Accessibility
● 38 inch high railing
● 1:12 maximum slope ramp
● 5’-6” landings
● 5’-6” ramp width
● Total ramp length of 103’-6”
19

20. Playground Regulations
● Entrapment hazards
● Cedar or redwood building material
● Fall prevention
● 6 inch-thick wood chip padding
● Pressure-treated wood
● No chromated copper arsenate (CCA)
20

21. Framing & Decking
● 6″×6″ posts
● 2″×8″ girders and beams
● 2″×4″ knee bracing
● 2″×6″ decking
● 12″ width footing
21
Figure 16: Shear Face-Mount Joist Hanger
(Simpson Strong Tie)

22. Connections
● Notching and bolts
● Joist hangers
○ Shear face-mount
○ Skewed
○ Adjustable
● Deck screws
22
Figure 17: Shear Face-Mount Joist Hanger
(Simpson Strong Tie)

23. Alternative Design 23

24. Alternative Design (2) 24

25. Cost Estimation (1)
25
Table 1: Cost of Proposed Treehouse Design

26. Cost Estimation (2)
26
Component Material/Item Quantity Unit Unit Price Total Cost
Planter 2-1/4" Modular Brick 350 brick 0.74 $259.00
Mortar 2 bag 15.45 $30.90
Sand 1 ton 161.25 $161
Dirt Fill 414 cu ft 1.48 $337
Gravel Fill 138 cu ft 2.22 $307
1" Inner Diameter Soft Pipe 25 ft 1.28 $32
Grading Soil Fill-Amphitheater 10 cu yd 0.69 $7
Trail Improvements Rubber Chips 8,379 sq ft 1.24 $10427
Stepping Logs( about 14" in diameter) 17 stumps 878.00 $14926
Log Bench (about 1.3*6 ft) 2 benches 350.00 $700
log tunnel(about 2.8*4 ft) 1 tunnel 3418.00 $3418
Outdoor Theater Limestone (Cut into 3' by 1' by 6' ) 180 cu ft 1.00 $180
Sand (Lay under stone) 198 cu ft 0.17 $33
Micropool Gravel 10 cu ft 2.22 $23
Plastic Liner 51 sq ft 1.17 $60
Total Cost $55,000
Table 2: Cost of Proposed Site Design

27. Conclusions
● The proposed treehouse increases ADA accessibility of playground
● Implementations of the planter and pond will reduce stormwater runoff into the
building and keep the basement from flooding
● Trail improvements will enhance the usability and longevity in addition to
reducing maintenance
● Addition of the amphitheater and suggested playground equipment will
provide a cohesive space
● Net cost of $55,000 to implement all suggested improvements
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28. References
Lighthouse Garage Door Services, 2016. Raised Garden Bed with Concrete Blocks.
<http://www.lighthousegaragedoors.com/10-ways-make-raised-bed-functional-aesthetic.htm/raised-garden-bed-
with-concrete-blocks>, accessed December 2016.
Simpson Strong-Tie. (2013). Deck Connection and Fastening Guide.
<https://www.iccsafe.org/BSM/Documents/PR/deck-framing-connection.pdf.>
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29. QUESTIONS?
29