We will be exploring other ways to introduce artistic elements into the playground that beautify and reflect the language immersion nature of our school.
We have been working with Site Workshop, a local landscape architect to revise the set of plans that were created several years ago through a series of workshops and surveys of JSIS families. They will be providing some drawings which we will send out as soon as we have them.
In the mean time, Dennis Poon, one of our many generous parents has created some fantastic conceptual drawings to show what our playground could look like based on the current ideas!!
Full disclaimer, these are not the final plans. The final set of plans may change due to a variety of factors.
If the budget allows, we will be exploring ways to add some artistic elements that reflect the international/language immersion nature of our school.
One idea would be to add a Japanese style entry gate to the playground.
Another idea to incorporate a Latin America based element comes from Jalisco Mexico. It is the home of our sister school and the home of a local art form using mosaics created with tiny beads. The idea would be to create a mosaic or mural in the same style on one or more of the play border walls. Here are some examples:
Here are the drawings created by Denis Poon for us. They show several important improvements. The play area is moved slightly to the south to open up the narrow corridor between the basket ball court and the play border. The large unnecessary ramp and railing will be replaced with a curved open set of stairs to better utilize the space, improve access, and improve safety. The sloping mud ramps along the east side would be replaced with planters, benches and a boulder garden with stone steps.
8 comments:
A tori gate is a religious symbol. Not sure if it's appropriate here.
That is the Main concern that has been raised regarding the Torii. They are very often seen all around the world associated with public parks.
For example, Seward park is rebuilding an enormous Torii to replace the one that stood there for many years.
http://www.sewardparktorii.org/
There is a prominant Torii at the Butchart Gardens in Victoria
http://www.butchartgardens.com/blog/peeking-through-torii-gate/
There was formerly a large Torri in the Arboretum
http://digitalcollections.lib.washington.edu/cdm/ref/collection/imlsmohai/id/6917
While undoubtedly the Torii is a feature of Shinto shrines it has become rather commonly used around the world as a decorative feature in public parks and gardens.
I totally feel the same. Terrible to correct a lot of money to make this religious stuff in a public school. Disrespectful to Shinto people as well. This is not a simething to put in a playground. No one should kick or climb on. If this should be in the play ground, I will talk to media people and will try my best to take an action.
I do not care if it were in a park. However I strongly disagree with having this in a public school playground. If Shinto people would like to evangelize, let them pay for the project. No pennies should be asked for it from other people.
Thank you for your comments.
Due to concerns raised by several families and SPS ,The Torii Gate will not be an option for the playground.
We will be exploring other ways to introduce artistic elements into the playground that beautify and reflect the language immersion nature of our school.
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