Children Help Shape the Vision for Marshall’s Blannahassett Island

MountainTrue’s Appalachian Design Center (ADC) is working with the Town of Marshall, NC, and community partners on a concept design for Blannahassett Island. The effort brings together design expertise and community input to help shape the Island’s future, including a playground informed by the children who will use it.

At a summer workshop, members of ADC’s design team joined playground designers to hear directly from children ages 6–12 about their ideas for the playground. Gathered at the Island’s pavilion, just steps from the future playground site, participants explored possibilities through drawing and conversation.

To spark creativity, the playground designers brought samples of the natural materials they use in their play spaces. Children sketched everything from spinning pods and splash pads to slides, climbing structures, and imaginative play features. The activity gave them a chance to express what would make the playground fun and inviting—and gave the designers a closer look at how children imagined playing there.

The team reviewed the drawings for common themes and favorite ideas, considering them alongside safety, accessibility, feasibility, and the unique character of Blannahassett Island. 

The workshop reflects ADC’s listening-first, community-driven approach: inviting people to help shape the places they use and bringing their ideas into the design process. On Blannahassett Island, that meant making room for some of the community’s youngest voices.