Here are my recent photos and notes about the Boston Common Tadpole Playground, which I had often passed by on my walk to work for years. Finally a deliberate visit there during December holidays got me to focus on the art that has been integral to that playground for more than a decade. 

In 2002 a major makeover transformed the climbing, seating and play capacity of a worn-out public playground near the Frog Pond on the Boston Common. For information about the TADpole Playground project, see the following links: tadpole playground, highland street, culture now

arch above playground entrance

circle motifs in fence

view from within playground

Three visual artists developed distinct features that have endured more than a decade of daily activity. They were 1) David Phillips, who sculpted six engaging frog characters, 2) Lilli Ann Rosenberg , who created a frog-themed mosaic at the entry, and 3) Mark Cooper, who collaborated with school children to contribute animal-themed tile panels at the base of the playground fence.

For more about David Phillips’ sculpture, see the following:  Meet the Frogs, Phillips Sculpture

Each of his six bronze frogs has a name (on a plaque nearby), a purpose or pursuit, special posture and possessions. Children and adults respond to the individual personalities.

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For information about Lilli Ann Rosenberg (1925-2011) and her collaborative creative projects in New York, Boston and Oregon, click these links:  Muralist Sculptor Adorned Public Spaces, Culture Now_Rosenberg team 

The mosaic survives frequent foot  and stroller traffic.

between entrance and climbing structure

patterns, bricks and inscription around central mosaic

central mosaic

For more about Mark Cooper’s work, see the following link: Cooper portfolio

Children’s drawings were incorporated in his design of the tile panels.

panel about 8 inches from ground

crouch or crawl for eye-level view

As I learned more about the artists, my original appreciation of their collaborative  energies expanded.  Notably each artist had to consider constraints and conditions of constant use by children in all seasons without the protection or preservation accorded to other forms of creative work. They had to humbly anticipate that children might enjoy the art without recognizing the craftsmanship or intricacies and that many adults would not notice it at all. Yet the artists’ plans, drafts, responsive revisions, technical expertise, and creative spirit produced the impressive  lasting pleasures of this playground.