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VAIL, Colorado — East of the Vista Bahn chairlift in Vail, Colorado, Pirate Ship Park has been entertaining the children of Vail for more than 35 years.
The original park, also a pirate ship, was built in the 1970s. In 2000 , Vail began updating its playgrounds in order to comply with safety guidelines. That resulted in the present Pirate Ship Park through the collaborative efforts of artist Ty Gillespie and the Vail's public works design team.
“The process of updating one of Vail's playgrounds begins with hiring an artist to help develop the concept,” says Gregg Barrie, a town landscape architect. “We work closely with them to ensure the final playground meets the original design intent, while meeting safety requirements. We turn their concept into a reality.”
Part-time Minturn resident Gillespie's passion for sailing and art fit right into the project. Gillespie, whose artistic hulls can be viewed at J. Cotter Gallery, spent six years sailing around the world with his wife, Helen, on their boat, Azura, which happens to be the name of their vineyard in Paonia.
“Most of the playground's components are custom, except for the slide,” says Barrie.
The facade of the ship is made of cedar and the steel frame was built in Minturn. Other playgrounds redesigned by Vail's design team and commissioned artists include Ford Park, Donovan Park, and Bighorn Park.
Vail's Art in Public Places free guided tours begin Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. at the Vail Information Booth. www.artinvail.com
Molly Eppard is Vail's art in public places coordinator
The original park, also a pirate ship, was built in the 1970s. In 2000 , Vail began updating its playgrounds in order to comply with safety guidelines. That resulted in the present Pirate Ship Park through the collaborative efforts of artist Ty Gillespie and the Vail's public works design team.
“The process of updating one of Vail's playgrounds begins with hiring an artist to help develop the concept,” says Gregg Barrie, a town landscape architect. “We work closely with them to ensure the final playground meets the original design intent, while meeting safety requirements. We turn their concept into a reality.”
Part-time Minturn resident Gillespie's passion for sailing and art fit right into the project. Gillespie, whose artistic hulls can be viewed at J. Cotter Gallery, spent six years sailing around the world with his wife, Helen, on their boat, Azura, which happens to be the name of their vineyard in Paonia.
“Most of the playground's components are custom, except for the slide,” says Barrie.
The facade of the ship is made of cedar and the steel frame was built in Minturn. Other playgrounds redesigned by Vail's design team and commissioned artists include Ford Park, Donovan Park, and Bighorn Park.
Vail's Art in Public Places free guided tours begin Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. at the Vail Information Booth. www.artinvail.com
Molly Eppard is Vail's art in public places coordinator
