Site Plan - Design Summary

The proposed Site Plan for Deane’s Children’s Park will soon advance to the City Council for review. Developed through a robust community engagement process between March and September 2025, the plan reflects a shared vision for how this beloved park can grow and evolve. The Parks and Recreation Commission approved the Site Plan on February 5, 2026. It will be reviewed by the City Council on April 7, 2026, with adoption anticipated on May 5, 2026.

This work was shaped by broad community participation, including more than 1,200 Island elementary students, community surveys, an open house, and project booths at six local events. The City also appreciates the partnership of Friends of Dragon Park, Mercer Island Preschool Association (MIPA), and Outdoors for All, whose input helped guide the plan.

The Site Plan also serves as a roadmap, providing a long-term vision for improvements over the next 10–20 years. It offers a flexible framework that allows the City to make phased upgrades as funding and priorities allow, guiding how the park will grow, improve, and remain welcoming for generations to come.

To view the Site Plan, click here.

Getting There & Entrances

Both the main and secondary entrances are designed to be welcoming and easy to use. Each entry includes a small “arrival area” where visitors can pause, rest, and get oriented before entering the playground. These spaces help with wayfinding, provide support for caregivers, and offer a smooth transition into the park’s sensory-rich environment. Clear signage at both entrances supports communication for people of all ages and abilities.

Play Areas for All Ages

The playground is organized into a series of connected areas that support different ages, abilities, and types of play. Near the main entrance, younger children are welcomed with low-height play features, including the Critter Corner and adjacent Discovery Path. This area is designed for early childhood development, with animal-themed and nature-inspired elements that reflect the park’s forest setting.

Low, open play features create clear sightlines (open views across the space), making it easy for caregivers to supervise while creating a welcoming, approachable entry experience. Play elements are arranged in a simple loop to support movement from one activity to the next, while encouraging imaginative, unstructured play.

The accessible 2–5 Discovery Path weaves play into the forest setting. A gently winding path connects a series of ground-level play elements that support social interaction and sensory play (engaging touch, sound, sight, and movement) and leads to Kenton's Dragon.

At the center of the playground, a larger play area includes a wide variety of inclusive and adaptive equipment, designed so children of all ages and abilities can play together. Features include adaptive swings, inclusive spinning and rocking elements, a large log climber inspired by nature, and musical and water-themed play elements that encourage both independent and group play.

An elevated, accessible pathway leads to a play area designed for ages 5–12 and older. The central tree snag-inspired play tower serves as a visual landmark and offers challenges for a range of abilities. Children can climb a spiral net to reach the tallest slide or explore other climbing challenges. A ramp connects the tower to a treehouse pod with a rope bridge, adding more ways to play. At the base, open play features like a hammock swing, activity panel, and flexible play space let kids use their imagination and play in lots of different ways.

Throughout the park, smaller “forest surprise” elements, hidden play features like boulders, logs, and nature-inspired interactive components, are tucked into the landscape to encourage discovery and exploration. These playful features support sensory engagement, invite unstructured play, and create opportunities for social connection, hands-on learning, and active engagement.

Gathering & Amenities

At the heart of the park, a shared gathering area brings people together. This space includes a picnic shelter, restrooms, informal seating, and an accessible loop path that circles the play area for easy movement. Small play berms (gentle mounds) provide places to sit and play, while also helping slow cyclists as they exit the Bike Skills Area. A centrally located communication board supports inclusive interaction among visitors.

Paths & Connections

The Forest Path, the park’s central accessible path, connects all play areas and amenities, making it easy for visitors with mobility needs to fully enjoy the park. This main path also provides flexible options for everyone to explore at their own pace and choose challenges that match their abilities. Adaptive paths, slightly steeper or varied surfaces, also meet playground and trail accessibility standards, giving more ways for kids to move, play, and explore throughout the park. These connections improve access for the surrounding neighborhood and link directly to Island Park Elementary.

Honoring the Park’s Identity

The plan also honors the park’s history and identity. Kenton’s Dragon remains an important and well-loved feature, with improvements planned to preserve it and make it more accessible for future generations. Natural materials, forest-inspired design, and sensory and artistic elements are used throughout the park to create an immersive, nature-based experience that reflects the park’s character.

A Space for Everyone

Overall, the plan balances play opportunities, accessibility, safety, and the natural environment. By combining a wide range of play experiences with thoughtful amenities, it creates a flexible and welcoming space for play, learning, and connection.