City of Ventura
Ventura, California
After years of exposure to seaside conditions and considerable usage, the structural integrity of the original playground was in a state of deterioration and had to be demolished and removed in 2022. The plans to replace and improve the beloved park were formulated by the Marina Park Playground Subcommittee–a participatory public process that involved members of the City of Ventura’s community, the Pierpoint Bay Community Council, and the City’s Parks and Recreation commission. The communal and collective effort ultimately produced a design for nine new playground structures that utilized traditional wood materials to better withstand the salty, coastal environment. The new playground features net climbers, swings, a seesaw, a tot lot structure, and a larger play structure, as well as new benches and rubberized surfacing.
Earth Systems conducted a geotechnical engineering study for the proposed reconstruction which provided critical design criteria for grading, utility trenches, and structural elements, including conventional shallow foundations, drilled piers, frictional lateral coefficients, and maximum and differential static settlements.
During the demolition, removal, and construction of the new playground equipment, Earth Systems provided geotechnical observation and testing services which included:
Prior to the placement of reinforcing steel cages for the foundation of the new playground equipment structures, a certified Earth Systems field technician observed and documented the depth and width of the caisson excavations and observed placement of concrete to verify that they were in accordance with the project plans and specifications.
