June 2024 – Parks & Recreation - 50

OPERATIONS
Reshaping Recreation to
Meet Modern Demands
By Eliel Alfon, AIA, NCARB
D
uring the past decade, recreation facility design has evolved
to meet the ever-changing needs of the end users. To meet
societal challenges and market demands, designers must shift
our approach. Our facilities need to respond to shifting demographics,
increasing cultural diversity and an aging population. These
changing family structures require innovative solutions. As we prioritize
inclusivity and equity, we must reshape restroom and locker room designs.
Amidst these demographic considerations, emerging technologies and AI
present new opportunities and challenges in the design field.
As our communities
develop,
how do we reshape recreational
facilities to meet the needs of the
people they serve?
Multigenerational Users
In Prince George's County, Maryland,
the Maryland-National Capital
Park and Planning Commission has
embraced multigenerational facility
designs. These facilities boast adaptable
spaces suitable for people of all
ages and community backgrounds.
Community rooms are equipped
thoughtfully, featuring counters with
sinks, access to storage rooms, a
warming kitchen, restroom facilities
and a community patio. Moreover,
all recreational programs are meticulously
designed to suit multigenerational
users' needs and preferences.
Flexibility
The ability to adapt and transform
a space for various purposes is crucial
and can impact its revenue potential
significantly.
Modern gymnasiums, for example,
now are incorporating flexible
tip-and-roll
bleachers
instead
of
fixed pull-out bleachers, allowing
for versatile spectator seating arrangements
during sports events.
Now standard fixtures in gyms,
overhead goals and curtain dividers
offer flexibility to create separate
spaces as needed.
Community Wellness
and Well-Being
When thoughtfully designed and
equipped, modern recreational facilities
can enhance a community's
well-being. Wellness
suites
provide
a comprehensive approach to
health and can function as a health
and nutrition hub. These spaces
incorporate mindfulness areas for
activities like yoga and meditation,
as well as classroom-type amenities
for educational programming.
Furthermore, wellness suites provide
an opportunity to expand services
to encompass mental health
counseling and other social services.
Inclusive
Design
While accessibility was once the
sole consideration for inclusive design,
our diverse society now places
a greater emphasis on inclusivity
and privacy. To meet the demand for
privacy and comfort, the layout and
design criteria for locker rooms and
restroom facilities have changed
significantly. Today's family
changing suites constitute more
than a third of a facility's
total
locker room requirements. These
cabana units also have increased
in size to accommodate a family
of three. Moreover, modern locker
rooms offer more private changing
areas, and universal and accessible
toilets have become a standard feature
in recreation facilities.
Integrated Technology
With the growing popularity of
The multigenerational
Southern Area Aquatics
and Recreation
Complex is located in
Brandywine, Maryland.
50 Parks & Recreation | JUNE 2 0 2 4 | PARK S ANDRECRE AT ION . OR G
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June 2024 – Parks & Recreation

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