The Park will be the recreation destination that the entire
community of Mammoth Lakes will be proud to call their park.
“The entire project was designed emphasizing function andflexibility, ensuring programming informs design. All components of the project
were designed to be complementary to and with each other, including connectingwith natural features of the park.” Elizabeth ‘Betsy’ Truax, Chair, Mammoth
Lakes Recreation Commission.
The project became a reality after the adoption of severalplanning documents, determined participation from community advocates and
determined direction from Town Council to relocate the existing and deficientice rink to Town-owned property.
“The guiding principle builds from the “A Town within a
Park” concept to deliver local residents and visitors with high-quality,complementary recreation facilities in the vibrant downtown area.” Mayor, John
Wentworth, Mammoth Lakes Town Council.
The Town of Mammoth Lakes hired consultants HMC Architectsfor architectural and engineering design services to plan the Mammoth Creek
Park facilities. The rink will be covered by a 36,000 sq. ft. steel roofpartially open on two sides, allowing for a unique, outdoor skating experience
with expansive protection from the sun and harsh winter elements. The enclosedand elevated lobby will provide sweeping views of the ice rink and Sherwin
mountain range with access to the rink from sloping ramps. Viewing areas andbleachers will be located near center ice, adjacent to the tempered glass. The
facility will have adjoining restrooms and team locker rooms, with supportspace for the ice groomer, chiller and associated mechanical and rink
equipment. The existing surface parking lot will be expanded to include anadditional 36 spaces for a total of 80 parking spaces on-site. The Park is also
connected to the complimentary Town transit system and the Mammoth Lakes TrailSystem with convenient pedestrian access on town maintained sidewalks.
The stunning project includes five major components: a
natural play area, an enhanced playground with inclusive components, communitycenter, RecZone and Olympic-size ice rink. These complementary components are
designed to work with existing park features, and combined withcommunity-driven and professional programming will promote a degree of
excitement, individual expression, exploration, pleasure, challenge andaccomplishment leading to an enhanced quality of life.
The Natural Play Area
The natural play area incorporates a large grass area for open play bordered by tree-lined, gurgling Mammoth Creek. The natural play area is supported by seasonal restrooms and several picnic tables with multi-use paths (MUPS) providing access throughout the natural play area. Parents relax on the grass, while children challenge their bouldering skills on natural rock features and explore the wonders of nature along the banks of Mammoth Creek under the canopy of aspen and pine trees. The natural play area is also used for small public gatherings, sporting events, intimate weddings, fitness classes, and community events like the annual Fourth of July POPS in the Park cultural event.
“Innovative pathway designs infused with play is a paradigm
change that could increase children’s walking and biking habits by offering anetwork of intriguing linear play environments connecting children’s homes to
playgrounds and other meaningful, daily life destinations.” PlayCore and NaturalLearning Initiative. 2010. Pathways for Play: Best Practice Guidelines.
The Playground
The goal of the inclusive playground is to unite children,
families and community citizens through the power of play. An approximately7,000 square feet playground is currently located at The Park, however, it is
planned to be reconfigured in 2018 to allow for optimal integration with thenew facility, including the development of a thoughtfully planned and
community-driven inclusive outdoor play environment.
“Inclusion is about providing all people, regardless ofability or age, with equal opportunities to participate fully in a variety of
opportunities in the environment in a mutually beneficial and respectful way.”PlayCore and Utah State University, 2010. Me2: 7 Principles of Inclusive
Playground Design.
Community input encompassed playground themes, accessiblesurfacing, shade, inclusive playground components and even recommendations for
eight year olds. The goal is to combine this valuable community input withresearch-based benefits of play by incorporating the seven principles of
inclusive playground design to build a play environment that meets the needs ofthe entire community.
The Community Center
The Community Center will provide much needed space and
associated amenities to satisfy the diverse and growing needs of the community.In addition, the Community Center is designed to support the multitude of
year-round events, tournaments and activities programmed at The Park. At around2,500 sq. ft. with a durable, cushioned floor, ample storage, a family
restroom, complimentary Wi-Fi, with audio-visual components as well as accessto concessions, the Community Center will be an ideal programmable venue for
the community.
“Our goal is create a venue that encourages and facilitatessocial interaction, cultural enrichment, and builds community through
multigenerational connections.” Stuart Brown, Mammoth Lakes Parks andRecreation Director.
The Community Center is designed and programmed to
accommodate daily, weekly, monthly and custom community-based events andactivities. Developed from extensive community input, the facility will host
educational and after school enrichment programs, youth and adult introductoryfitness classes, gaming, arts and crafts classes, scheduled meetings,
training/certification courses, family support group sessions and parks andrecreation theatre productions.
Mammoth Ice Rink
The ice rink is scheduled to operate during the winter
months from approximately October to April. Broad community input from severaluser groups helped inform and build the Playbook for the ice rink. The
Olympic-size ice rink allows for agreater diversity of programming, including youth (cross-ice) hockey, figure
skating, curling, adult hockey (drop-in/leagues), expanded public skate, whichis immensely popular in the resort community, along with learn to skate or play
hockey sessions, tournaments, birthday parties and hockey development camps.
“It is wonderful to have an outdoor ice rink in Californiawith breathtaking views of the mountain ranges. Through some of the incredible
people in Mammoth Lakes, and my friend Luke Fortune, we started the CalderClassic three years ago with a few teams. This past year we hosted 16 teams
over seven incredible days. What an amazing asset for the community andopportunity for the local kids to possibly one day live out their dreams.” Kyle
Calder, Canadian former professional ice hockey forward who played in the NHLfor the Chicago Blackhawks, Philadelphia Flyers, Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles
Kings and Anaheim Ducks.
Broad community input from several user groups helped informand build the Playbook for the ice rink. Daily drop-in or frequently programmed
activities include: public skating, youth (cross-ice) hockey and adult hockey,along with figure skating. The ice rink will be programmed weekly for curling
leagues and learn to skate or play hockey sessions, with special monthlyprograms such as free skate nights, hockey/curling tournaments, birthday
parties and hockey development camps.
Mammoth RecZone
In the peak summer months the facility will operate as theRecZone. As the name illustrates, the RecZone will be the place for recreation
in Mammoth Lakes delivering all recreation, all the time! With durable, outdoorsports tiles offering excellent traction, ball response and shock absorption,
the RecZone will be fully programmed all summer for drop-in, league play,tournaments and special events. It will also be the hub for Parks and
Recreation Department summer camps and programs.
“We want to provide a safe and fun place where kids can runfree and play hard. From summer camps in the morning, basketball during lunch,
arena soccer in the afternoon, to a music festival at night, the RecZone willsatisfy the needs of our youth, young adults, and even the young at heart!”
Stuart Brown, Mammoth Lakes Parks and Recreation Director.
The Playbook for the RecZone was developed from extensivecommunity input and incorporates daily youth/adult drop-in and league court
sports including: basketball, arena soccer, futsal, pickleball, badminton,volleyball, dodgeball, and potentially Pop Tennis or junior USTA programs. The
facility will also accommodate adaptive sports such as wheelchair basketball,pickleball and roller hockey. Visiting professional, club, college and school
teams can rent the facility, or the public can easily reserve a court or roomfor birthday parties or social/family gatherings.