Twin Lakes

When I first moved to Tennessee from Canada in the mid-1990's the big rage in children's play equipment at the time were all-wooden multiple station structures that were built by huge numbers of volunteers from respective communities.

Within a few weeks of being down in Tennessee I was one of those parent volunteers who was sanding and cutting and hammering alongside many others.

When I moved a few hours further east in the state a couple of years later, a similar structure was located down the road from where I live.

Today I stopped at yet one more, this time in Juneau Alaska.

This particular play park is wonderfully creative - bright and colorful, with multiple themes specific to Alaska - boats, sea creatures, whales, totems, deer, bear, eagles, mountains.

Rather than being left in its natural wood state, much of the play equipment has been painted in bright children's colors.

But even more interesting, even more sweet, is the art work.

Art work that encourages imaginations to soar.

Art work that enhances the equipment and reinforces the themes.

And finally, art work pieces completed by children and built into the playground for the pleasure of not only this generation, but also the next generation of Juneau children............

This play area is known as Twin Lakes, and is located about three miles outside of town heading towards the Valley.

As the name indicates, the park is on the lake.

In the summer locals swim and canoe in this residential lake, and sunbathe on the grass.

In the winter kids play hockey on the frozen lake.

Egan Drive runs the length of the lake, and then the channel and then Douglas Island.

As with all places in Juneau, for both young and old, this place is completely surrounded by mountains......

My favorite piece of the play equipment is a maze.

8x8 wooden boards are pieced together in a maze formation, and children have a wonderful time weaving in and out.

Each one of the boards was painted by children.  

They are wonderfully colorful and creative snapshots of a child's vision of their town.........