At the gates of the Vexin

The town of Courdimanche is situated at the outskirts of Cergy, taking advantage of a peri-urban setting, close to the large landscape of the Vexin plateau. The town is currently split between its historical core, built on a promontory in an atypical architectural style, and the Sainte Apolline neighbourhood, planned in the 70s-80s. The Champ Arthur playground area represents one of the main common spaces of the neighbourhood, thanks to the proximity of the Louvière Mall, of the schools and the newly-built Youth recreation center.

A Park / Playground

Coherently with its geographical position, at the gates of the Vexin, the town of Courdimanche benefits of a multitude of planted spaces, ecological corridors and large avenues, which contribute to define a green atmosphere for the town. Therefore the main concept of this project consists in the combination of a park and a playful public space. The design is marked by a strong linear feature: a Trike Lane that represents at the same time a walking path, a playground and an urban staging, emphasized by the ground markings. The lane is the generating line of the project, it will translate in an encircling path, integrating different activities and micro-spaces: benches, open libraries, lawns, picnic areas, a fountain, a shed for the trikes. The playgrounds are inscribed within the lane, in order to be clearly defined areas. Their position, being at the center of the site, will favour a sense of security and protection. The two playgrounds are physically linked, thanks to a ground blackboard, an asphalt surface that will work as a free space fir graphic expression. The plantings have been carefully defined and selected within the local flora, in order to compose a comforting vegetal backdrop for all the common spaces. The entire area is enclosed by a peripheral shrub filter and a low-sized and visually permeable wood fence.

Participatory design and continuity

Besides the playground program, the project has been developed through a series of dialogues and meetings between all the local stakeholders. These meetings gave birth to the idea of a partnership with the Youth center, which participates to the management of the area, thanks to the creation of an autonomous shed for the trikes. The trikes are stored in the shed and made available for the children at the morning opening of the site. The Park / Playground is also suited for the organization of collective and cultural events, the entire area will actually work as an ephemeral extension of the Youth center entrance square. The ground blackboard has the ideal size for the setting up of a common long table or little stages.

Design: Espace Libre Location : Courdimanche – Le champ d’Arthur, Boulevard des Chasseurs, France Design Year: 2016 Year of Construction: 2017 Surface: 2000 m² Budget : 420 000 euros

Image credits: Julien Falsimagne Manufacturer of urban equipment: CARACOL, FREPAT, PRO URBA Tree Nursery: Bruns Pflanzen