Creating a Destination for All
Black Bob Park, an 80-acre community hub in Olathe, Kansas, has long been a place for connection and recreation. Originally part of the Shawnee Indian Reservation established in 1825, the land was dedicated as a public park in 1981 and named in honor of Chief Black Bob of the Shawnee Band of Native Americans.
While the park already featured sports fields, a fishing pond, a farmers market, and the adjacent Black Bob Bay, a master planning process led by TESSERE revealed a critical need: a new, inclusive playground.
Designing With Purpose
Phase One of the Black Bob Park Master Plan introduced a thoughtfully designed playground focused on inclusivity and immersive play. Alongside the playground, the phase included a new restroom facility, expanded parking for Black Bob Bay, and vital drainage improvements.
The playground’s design pays tribute to Chief Black Bob through a custom play tower featuring Native American-inspired colors and art panels. But honoring history was just the beginning—the space was designed to be accessible and engaging for all ages and abilities.
Key Features Include:
- Separate Play Zones for ages 2–5 and 5–12
- You & Me Swings for shared parent-child play
- Nest Swing, ADA-accessible and ideal for group use
- Sensory Dome with textures and colors to support cognitive development
- ADA Pathways, including a ramp to elevated play areas
Collaborative Innovation
To bring Olathe’s vision to life, TESSERE partnered with
Kompan, a Denmark-based playground equipment manufacturer known for inclusive design. With support from
Crouch Recreation, the regional representative, the team customized Kompan’s tower structure and other elements to reflect the park’s unique character and cultural heritage.
Kompan also contributed expertise in durability and low-maintenance design. A standout feature is the custom artificial turf pattern, which enhances the playground’s theme while ensuring long-term resilience.
Sustainability and Environmental Sensitivity
Environmental stewardship was central to the project. The playground layout was carefully designed to preserve mature trees, integrating play areas into the natural landscape without removing any existing trees.
Sustainable stormwater management was also prioritized. A vegetated swale and detention area in the northern park section help manage runoff from the adjacent parking lot, supporting the park’s ecosystem.
Community-Driven, Community-Praised
Community input shaped every step of the design. A public open house invited residents to share feedback, ensuring the playground reflected local needs and aspirations. The strong turnout and enthusiastic support confirmed the project’s importance to Olathe.
Since its opening in May, the playground has become a weekend hotspot, with hundreds of children enjoying its inclusive and engaging features.
Final Thoughts
Phase One at Black Bob Park is more than a playground—it’s a symbol of heritage, inclusivity, sustainability, and community collaboration. The overwhelmingly positive response shows that this transformation was exactly what Olathe needed.
