Customer Case

Washington Park Playground

Case Details

Location

Albany, New York

Customer

Albany Recreation, Washington Park Conservancy

Age

2+

User Capacity

250+

Accessible Nature Play That Honors Legacy

Washington Park, established in the 1870s, is the premier park of New York's capital city. The heritage green space that spans 81 acres of serene natural beauty is home to more than 100 species of trees and a picturesque 5-acre lake. When the City of Albany and Washington Park Conservancy were looking to update the park's aging playground, they needed the safe, accessible destination playground to engage users of all abilities and honor the park's historic landscape design—all while minimizing its environmental impact. By working with KOMPAN, the City of Albany realized this concept with a 20,000-square-foot Robinia playground solution.

Washington Park Playground - Image 2

Physical

Physical

Joy of movement: motor skills, muscle, cardio and bone density

Cognitive

Cognitive

Joy of learning: curiosity, understanding of causal relationships and knowledge of the world

Social-Emotional

Social-Emotional

Joy of being together: teamwork, tolerance and sense of belonging

Creative

Creative

Joy of creating: co-creation and experimenting with materials

Thrilling Nature Play for Toddlers to Tweens

To intentionally designate play zones in the sizeable play space, Architect Declan Keen designed the playground into four areas: an age-appropriate play area for children ages 5 and under, an action zone filled with physical swinging and spinning play opportunities, a performance area and embankment to ignite creative, imaginative play and most notably, the crowning challenge space for high-level physical and parkour play for all ages. Commanding attention is a custom 23-foot-tall play tower that offers four levels of rope climbing challenges and supreme views of the city skyline. Nestled within the towering trees, Washington Park Playground exemplifies how varied nature play opportunities can create an immersive, thrilling outdoor experience—no matter the user's age.

Featured in the News!

The Times Union attended the grand opening of Washington Park Playground on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. Follow the link below to see more of the ribbon cutting and children enjoying the playground on its first day!

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