​In this assignment, students will use their knowledge of geometry concepts to design a park. Students will be given information about the existing space, and asked to create a space that meets the specific requirements that have been outlined by the city.

Group Work

Students will work in groups to:

• divide a rectangular park space into triangular sections;
• list angle measures, side lengths, and areas for each triangular section;
• calculate the area of the overall park;
• add special features (such as a playground, picnic area, pond) using a variety of shapes for each feature;
• calculate the area of each special feature;
• design three-dimensional bases for statues;
• calculate the volume and surface areas of statue bases; and
• draw the design for their new park on graph paper.
   

The scale factor for the diagram will be ¼ inch represents 5 meters. Each group should start by drawing the outline of the park on graph paper according to the scale factor and having this approved by the teacher. The diagram should measure 6 inches by 10 inches.

Materials Needed

Each group will need:

• one sheet of ¼ inch graph paper;
• a protractor; and
• a paper copy of the Design Requirements Worksheet.
   

Students will access the formulas for calculating area, surface area, and volume online.

Final Report

Individually, students will write a report in response to several specific questions from the city about possible changes to their designs. Students should have access to their Design Requirements Worksheets as they complete the final report questions online.

Extension Activity

Using Google Maps, look at a bird’s eye view of an existing park that is located in or near your town or city. Compare the park to the one your group designed. How is it similar? How is it different? Are there ways the existing park could be changed to make it better? Write a proposal to your city describing some of your observations and thoughts about how the park could be improved. Be sure to mention your previous experience as an urban planner and the park that you created for this project.