Overview

The City of Del Mar, California is a quaint seaside village located just 20 miles north of San Diego. This vibrant yet small community attracts more than two million visitors annually, who come to take advantage of the beach, scenic views, hiking trails, and outdoor activities. 

So, it was no surprise when the community rallied to renovate the tot lot at Powerhouse Park, a nearly 20-year-old playground overlooking the 15th Street Beach and the main waterfront park in Del Mar. Having succumbed to the wear and tear of the elements and the thousands of children who had played on it over the years, the playground was renovated to include an ocean-themed design, brand-new play structures, and SpectraPour pour-in-place rubber playground surfacing.

Key Challenges and Solutions

SpectraPour is a 2-layer system that is mixed, poured, and troweled on-site. The base layer features a shock-absorbing rubber material and the top layer features half-inch-thick rubber granules. Available in more than 20 colors, SpectraPour also allows for custom shapes and designs. 

In addition to the new safety surface, Powerhouse Park features a new swing set, climbing structures that support a range of age-appropriate play, a sand pit table, and several small pieces of ground-based play equipment. The project also included drainage upgrades and vegetation pruning to improve views. The existing hardscape, donor bricks, landscaping, and shade structure remained in place. Western State Builders served as the general contractor.

With project costs estimated at around $376,000, Powerhouse Park required funding from multiple sources, including $180,672 from a state grant, $45,000 in required matching funds from the City of Del Mar, and money from The Friends of the Powerhouse community group.

In 2004, Powerhouse Park received the Project of the Year Award in the parks category from the local chapter of the American Public Works Association. This award promotes excellence by recognizing the partnerships among the managing agency, consultants, architects, and engineers involved with a project.