Undersea Aviary is the brainchild of Michael Henderson, a resident of West Seattle, Washington, who decided to transform his backyard into a wonderland using reclaimed rebar, mosaic tile, and a slew of other recycled materials. The project combines sculpture with physical play, as visitors are invited to climb through, over, and around the mostly metal structure. Right now, the playground consumes Henderson’s backyard, but he has plans to expand and improve it, and then open it up so the whole community can enjoy it.
Henderson’s backyard build started as a dad building a playground for his child, but then he just kept building. As the project grew, Henderson saw it as an opportunity to inspire new kinds of play, not just for his own offspring, but for other people in the neighborhood as well. Henderson believes his recycled playground is not only innovative and inspiring, but also just as safe as existing playgrounds.
In its early stage, the Undersea Aviary’s exposed rebar looks like a dangerous place for children, but Henderson insists it’s safe to use with careful supervision. A public version of the playground would include cement surrounding the rebar, to avoid kids making contact with the metal skeleton of the structure.
Undersea Aviary is running a Kickstarter campaign to fund the second part of the project, which involves expanding the Undersea Aviary with reckless abandon. Because of the size of the existing structure, and Henderson’s ambitious plans to grow it, the City of Seattle has ordered him to demolish some or all of the home on the same plot of land in order to keep the recycled play structure. Henderson is so committed to the project, and to inspiring unique opportunities for play that fosters creativity in children of all ages, that he is pushing forward.
Money raised through the crowdfunding campaign will cover everything from labor to tools and other equipment that will be needed for what is turning into a pretty massive construction project.
Via Seattle Weekly