MRC Transforms Milpitas with Innovative McCandless Park

When the city of Milpitas and the local school district envisioned a joint-use park that would serve as an inclusive, revenue-generating community hub, they turned to the MRC team for expertise.

The result? McCandless Park — a vibrant, nature-themed playground that sets a new standard for inclusive design and interactive play, nestled in the heart of Silicon Valley.

Our Collaborative Design Process

Our approach began with a comprehensive design board, meticulously incorporating key elements of inclusive design based on Playcore's "7 Principles of Inclusive Design." These principles ensure that the park caters to children of all abilities, promoting social interaction and sensory-rich experiences. By leveraging evidence-based research from the CORE Institute, our team was able to articulate a vision that aligned perfectly with the city's goals for accessibility and engagement.

A key strategic move was the recommendation to use a government purchasing contract. This approach allowed our client to maximize their grant funding, stretch their budget further, and acquire more high-quality equipment for the community. This decision not only enhanced the park's offerings but also demonstrated our commitment to providing value beyond mere design.

The Nature-Inspired Theme

The park's whimsical nature theme was chosen to appeal to all ages, creating a space that resonates with children and adults. Bright, colorful elements, including oversized bugs, flower-shaped shades, and an array of sensory play equipment, create an inviting atmosphere that sparks imagination and encourages exploration.

The centerpiece of this theme is two custom sunflower shades placed within the heart of the playground. These provide necessary sun protection and reinforce the nature motif, creating a cohesive and immersive environment. The integration of natural elements extends to the landscaping, with carefully selected plants that complement the playground's design while providing additional sensory experiences.

Innovative Equipment Used In The Park

McCandless Park stands out with its integration of cutting-edge YALP interactive playground equipment:

• YALP Sona Archstrong: This smart, inclusive dance and play arch offers a range of engaging games, adding a high-tech element to outdoor play. The arch uses motion sensors to detect players' movements, creating an interactive experience combining physical activity and digital engagement. It's particularly effective in encouraging group play and social interaction among children of all abilities.
• YALP Memostrong: Seven interactive pillars with 360° LED touch screens provide pedagogically valuable play experiences that adapt to users, ensuring sustained interest. These pillars offer a variety of games that challenge cognitive skills, memory, and reflexes, making learning an integral part of play. The adaptive nature of the games means that children can progress and face new challenges as their skills improve.

McCandless Park Unique Design Features

The oval-shaped play area features undulating hills created with poured-in-place rubber safety surfacing, adding an extra dimension of fun and challenge to the landscape. This innovative surfacing enhances safety and creates natural divisions within the play space, allowing for different activity zones without the need for physical barriers.

Freestanding play elements abound, catering to diverse play preferences and abilities. These include inclusive spinners that accommodate wheelchair users, embankment slides that utilize the park's topography, musical instruments for auditory stimulation, and net climbers for those seeking physical challenges. Each element was carefully chosen to provide a range of sensory experiences and physical challenges, ensuring that every child finds something engaging.

A custom-designed barn area serves dual purposes — offering a charming space for party rentals to generate revenue while maintaining clear sightlines for parental supervision of the play and party areas. This thoughtful addition enhances the park's theme and creates a unique venue for community events and celebrations, further integrating the park into the fabric of local life.

Your Turn to Dream Big

McCandless Park exemplifies MRC's ability to transform a community's vision into a reality, creating a space that is not only fun and inclusive but also innovative and revenue-generating. The park is a testament to the power of thoughtful design and strategic planning in creating public spaces that truly serve their communities.

From its nature-inspired theme to its state-of-the-art interactive equipment, every aspect of McCandless Park has been carefully considered to maximize engagement, accessibility, and enjoyment for all visitors. The result is a vibrant community hub that fosters physical activity, social interaction, and learning in an environment as beautiful as it is functional.

Ready to bring your park or playground vision to life? Reach out to MRC today, and let's start creating spaces that inspire, include, and innovate.