1. Indoor Recreation Center for Children in Ashland
KayDee Johnson
Northland College
Background
Research Questions
Methods
Key Survey Findings
Proposed Site Design and Layout
Conclusion
Footnotes
Extensiveresearch indicates the importanceof recreation for
children for physical health, social capital, and community
development.Alack of recreation opportunities for children in the
Winter has been identified in Ashland by community members and
the Center for Rural Communitiesat Northland College.1
This project utilized a mixed methods approach to determine what would be the best
plan for Ashland’s needs for a recreation center.
Online surveys were used to collect data about children’s recreation habits and what
they would want from a new facility. The survey was sent to approximately 1,500
parents with school age children in the Ashland School District. The 426 responses
were returned for a response rate of 28.4 percent.
Recreation centers in other communities were researched to find best practices that
incorporate sustainable features and intentional planning to engage children.
Finally, the data from the survey and the best practice findings were carefully
considered and combined to develop a plan for a recreational center that suits the
needs of Ashland.
• Are current recreation centers meeting the needs of
Ashland community members?
• If not, how can we plan to meets those needs?
• How can it be a sustainable benefit for the community?
Best Practices
Overhead View of Proposed Site – Courtesy of Google Maps
1 The Center for Rural Communities did multiple research projects that lead to this
study including, Ashland, Wisconsin: A Community Study, Assets & Amenities, and
Strategies to Optimize Ashland’s Resources Forum.
2 Youth Center in Pierrelaye
http://www.archdaily.com/40323/children%25e2%2580%2599s-recreation-centre-
air-architecture
3Shanghai Youth Center http://www.architectmagazine.com/project-gallery/youth-
center-of-qingpu
4 Peace Youth Center http://www.architectmagazine.com/project-gallery/peace-corner-
youth-center
Youth Center in Pierrelave,France Peace Youth Center in Chigago, IL
Green Features:
• Natural lighting
• Natural ventilation
• Green roof
• LEED certification
Below are examples of current recreation center best practices. On the
left is a center built among warehouses in rural Pierrelaye, France. The
back side of the building that is shown uses bright colors and
geometric shapes to appeal to children.2 A youth center in Shanghai
had the goal of, “a better, more stimulating learning environment for its
users”. They achieved this by making the center more human-sized and
village-like than the surround city in order to be more welcoming to
children.3 Finally, on the left is the Peace Youth Center that was infill
development. Though it is small (8000 square feet) it uses transparent
building materials such as glass and bright colors to make children feel
welcomed and safe in a harsh community.4
Space/Place Considerations:
• Fit with the community
• Simplicity
• Bright colors
• Transparency
• Welcoming
Acknowledgements
• The Center for Rural Communities collected data that
demonstrated the initial need for this project to happen
• Thanks to Brian Tochterman, Ana Tochterman, Brandon
Hofstedt, and Petra Hofstedt for their guidance and assistance
Children’s recreation has proven to be an important issue to the
parents of Ashland, WI, as well as around the world.
Recreation centers are important to childhood development
physically, socially, mentally, and creates more community
engagement. There are countless benefits for children and their
communities from increased opportunity to recreation. This
project is taking the specific needs of Ashland along with the
best practices from notable facilities around the world to make
a useful and sustainable recreation option for the Ashland
community children.
450'-0"
125'-0"
250'-0"
125'-0"
Pool
Playground
Space
Climbing/
Bouldering
Area
70'-0"
85'-0"
40'-0"
22'-719/64"
90'-0"
95'-0"
100'-0"
65'-0"
70'-0"
101'-23/16"
200'-0"
Court
150'-0"
75'-0"
Turf
50'-0"
Stairs/Storage
Welcome Desk/Lockers
128'-10 15/64"
Ground Floor
View from Beaser Avenue
View from 11th Avenue Ground Floor Layout
This site was chosen because of it’s central location and proximity to neighborhoods and the
Tri-County Corridor. This allows for increased accessibility to children.
The center is a single level with a loft (2500 sq. ft.) on the east side of the building. There is a
green roof that will also allow for outdoor seating and garden space.