vision

The Smyrna Public Library has spent decades building a community around learning, imagination, and discovery. The outdoor environment needed to reflect that same spirit — not just a playground added to the grounds, but a play experience that felt native to what a library is.

The vision was simple: build something that tells kids where they are before they can read the sign. A play environment that turns the act of arriving into the beginning of the story.

the challenge

Designing for a public library setting means designing for everyone — toddlers, early readers, older siblings, parents, grandparents — all in one shared outdoor space. The sculpt element needed to be visually distinctive and immediately recognizable, but also durable enough to hold up through Tennessee’s four seasons with minimal maintenance.
The design also needed to integrate naturally with an existing playground structure without competing with it. The goal was addition, not replacement — a sculptural element that gave the space a new focal point and a reason for families to stop, linger, and come back.

features of old rock school park

    In partnership with Miracle Recreation, the centerpiece of the installation is a custom stacked book sculpt — four oversized books in graduating sizes, finished in pink, lime green, yellow, and teal, rising from the ground like a natural stepping-stone into the play structure above.

  • Stacked Book Sculpt: Custom GFRP outdoor sculpt designed as a climbing step sequence connecting the ground to the upper play structure. Each “book” is a different color with distinct spine detail — recognizable to any child who’s ever pulled a book off a shelf, and climbable by kids who haven’t yet learned to read.
  • GFRP Construction: Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer — weather-resistant, UV-stable, and built to hold its color and structural integrity through years of outdoor use with minimal upkeep.
  • Seamless Integration: The sculpt connects directly to the existing multi-level PlayBuilder structure, extending the play experience without disrupting the existing layout.
  • Age-Inclusive Design: Accessible to toddlers at the first step, engaging for school-age kids all the way to the top — a natural challenge progression built into the climb.