Dwight Murphy Field Renovation Project

The Parks and Recreation Department has partnered with the Gwendolyn Strong Foundation to develop Gwendolyn’s Playground, Santa Barbara’s first and the region’s largest all-abilities playground. Together, a design was created for a whimsical play space that removes the physical barriers of traditional playgrounds that prevent children living with disabilities from playing side by side with other children. Some highlights of the design include the following:

• Magical Treehouse – A multi-story, sensory-rich space filled with imaginative play and interactive experiences.
• Hill Slides – A series of slides built into the natural hillside with multiple climbing features and pedestrian ramps to return to the top of the slope.
• Inclusive Swings – A variety of specialized swings designed to accommodate wheelchairs and other mobility aids.
• Music Garden – An interactive station designed to interweave play with music, as each element produces a different noise.
• Calming Pod – A quiet, soothing place for decompression.

The Gwendolyn Strong Foundation has raised $6 million to build the new playground and is seeking to raise an additional $2.5 million for inclusive programming and ongoing playground maintenance.

A new multi-sport field, sized to allow youth and adult soccer, rugby, and lacrosse, will provide new recreation opportunities for the community year-round. Artificial turf will remove the need for field closures to restore grass, allowing for an additional 12 to 16 weeks of use each year. The design will also include designated space on the sidelines for players and spectators, with sport lighting and decorative fencing around the field to increase safety and visibility.

The current outdoor fitness area will double in size and be relocated next to an open lawn to allow fitness activities to flow easily to the grass area.  Based on the input of community members, included equipment will aim to serve all types of users, emphasizing strength equipment and a layout suited for group fitness.

An enjoyable park setting will be created with a large grass area for drop-in activities and picnics, various walking paths with pedestrian lighting, a shaded group picnic area, new restrooms, and increased and improved parking.

The renovation design was created with the City of Santa Barbara’s climate and the potential long-term effects of climate change in mind.

• Drought Tolerance – Landscaping will consist of mainly drought-tolerant, low-maintenance species known to thrive in the local Mediterranean climate. Native plants will be used wherever practical to reduce water usage and provide habitat for beneficial pollinators like butterflies and hummingbirds. Installation of artificial turf at the multi-use sports field will also reduce the water required to maintain this renovation. 
• Stormwater Management - The natural flow of water and existing stormwater drainage were considered in the placement of planters and bioswales, channels designed to slow, collect, filter, and store as much stormwater runoff as possible. The parking lot will use permeable pavers to direct water into a retention basin below, allowing it to absorb into the soil slowly.