PRACTICING PLAYFULNESS || 34th Annual Home & Garden Show

Above is the conceptual design plan, that illustrates the “hubs” within the display.

Hooray! It is that time of year again where the sun is staying out longer, the plants are in full bloom, and the Garden Show is in full swing at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. During this time of year Falling Waters is typically gearing up our design and construction projects for our summer deadlines; however, we took a quick break and decided to participate in this year’s exhibit. We have taken part in years past, but we decided to stray away from our classic model and design for the kids. Through our design, Falling Waters is promoting the necessity to encourage children to get out and play in their natural environment, while simultaneously supporting our future project at Flora Vista Elementary School.

In this blog I will give you a glimpse of what to expect from the Falling Waters’ exhibit, but also what the show has to offer the homeowner or landscaper. In short, we took the predetermined design of the Flora Vista Elementary School garden and shrunk it into a demonstration display. The design is naturally divided into three sections in order to distinguish between the different “event” zones. First, you have the grass berms; these are a unique take on the ordinary lawn. We added topography to the grass creating a more diverse play experience. The berms create natural amphitheater seating for crowds, vantage points for children, and places to run or roll down. We intentionally placed picnic tables by the berms so the parents have a clear visual of their children playing. By doing this, the kids will feel more comfortable to practice play when they know they are safe, inducing a more creative and free spirit in the kids.

In the next section diverse tactile play is used. A sand pit with jumping rocks, a rock labyrinth, and a peep hole fence stimulates the physical and mental senses of children. This type of play is slower than the lawn area, yet just as invigorating. Within this section we introduce an interactive learning exhibit that displays Bug Hotels. The hotels create homes for the insects that are beneficial to a thriving ecosystem of a garden. We will be giving these away first come first serve, so bring your kids out and you can be taking home a free gift!

Lastly, the main entrance into the demonstration garden is under a Modern Arbor Trellis. This art piece can stand alone as an aesthetic, but it’s original intent is to have vines grow on it. Through the trellis you will find yourself in the “adult area” of the site, with Tojagrid overhead, WWOO built-in BBQ system, and Concrete Collaborative patio. We are very exciting to see this concept come to life, and we hope that you come out and discover the wonder for yourself.

I will be back next week to show you the finished product, the highlights of the weekend, and to answer some questions that we had at the show that you, as a homeowner, might have as well.

Show hours: Friday, March 1, 10am-5pm; Saturday, March 2, 10am-6pm; and Sunday, March 3, 10am-5pm.

With the inclusion of the “Garden Master” landscapes that are displayed at the Fairgrounds, visitors can expect “hands-on demonstrations, hundreds of home-improvement products and services exhibitors, educational seminars, plant sales, and face-to-face consultations with top experts—all with the convenience of one-stop shopping for everything pertaining to home and garden, inside and outside.”

For more information, visit: www.springhomegardenshow.com. Their website also has a link to discounted tickets. Hope to see you there!