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09-24-26 | Feature
In the town of Apple Valley, CA, a beautiful new park honors the memory of Joseph McConnell Jr., a United States Air Force Pilot and America's top jet ace of the Korean War, who called Apple Valley home. Verde Design led the design team in creating the playground plan within this new 12-acre community park. What was once an aging sports field has been transformed into a vibrant community destination for the Town of Apple Valley and the surrounding community. The town was able to procure significant funding through California's Proposition 68 Statewide Park Program.
Chris Giannini of Verde Design worked hand in hand with the Town to develop conceptual master plans that balanced community priorities, available funding, and long-term operational needs. The park plan includes a range of recreational amenities designed to promote intergenerational play and recreation, including a modern playground, sports fields, picnic shelters, and open green spaces. A central veterans memorial anchors the park and recognizes the service and sacrifice of military veterans while honoring Captain McConnell's legacy. It features two benches, a stone slab that includes McConnell's photo and life story, and a beautiful five-piece, illustrated monument, which pays tribute to veterans of all U.S. military branches.
Myles Harvey of Great Western Recreation provided the playground equipment, an inclusive, National Demonstration Site designed for children of all abilities. It features dedicated play areas for ages 2-5 and 5-12, swings, climbing structures, slides, play panels, spinners, and musical instruments. National Demonstration Sites also provide park stakeholders with usage data reports that can be shared to showcase the site's positive effects on health, wellness, and community vitality.
To see more Playgrounds projects, go to: https://landscapearchitect.com/landscape-articles/lasns-commercial-retail-development#article1
For more information about submitting a project, go to: https://landscapearchitect.com/research/editorial/editorial-submissions.php
Capt. Joseph McConnell Jr. Park
Apple Valley, California
Fittingly, on Veterans Day in November 2025, the Town gathered to celebrate the opening of the memorial, play area, picnic shelter and restrooms. From the moving presentation by the AAE Space Force JROTC to the heartfelt remarks from local leadership and the McConnell family, the ceremony celebrated the spirit that defines Apple Valley. The new park provides Apple Valley residents with a vital health and wellness resource that also serves as a place of reflection, remembrance and civic pride.
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The Playgrounds Issue of Landscape Architect and Specifier News saw many firms submit their projects for feature consideration. Capt. Joseph McConnell Jr. Park is one of several great projects we are excited to showcase on LandscapeArchitect.com.
In the town of Apple Valley, CA, a beautiful new park honors the memory of Joseph McConnell Jr., a United States Air Force Pilot and America's top jet ace of the Korean War, who called Apple Valley home. Verde Design led the design team in creating the playground plan within this new 12-acre community park. What was once an aging sports field has been transformed into a vibrant community destination for the Town of Apple Valley and the surrounding community. The town was able to procure significant funding through California's Proposition 68 Statewide Park Program.
Chris Giannini of Verde Design worked hand in hand with the Town to develop conceptual master plans that balanced community priorities, available funding, and long-term operational needs. The park plan includes a range of recreational amenities designed to promote intergenerational play and recreation, including a modern playground, sports fields, picnic shelters, and open green spaces. A central veterans memorial anchors the park and recognizes the service and sacrifice of military veterans while honoring Captain McConnell's legacy. It features two benches, a stone slab that includes McConnell's photo and life story, and a beautiful five-piece, illustrated monument, which pays tribute to veterans of all U.S. military branches.
Myles Harvey of Great Western Recreation provided the playground equipment, an inclusive, National Demonstration Site designed for children of all abilities. It features dedicated play areas for ages 2-5 and 5-12, swings, climbing structures, slides, play panels, spinners, and musical instruments. National Demonstration Sites also provide park stakeholders with usage data reports that can be shared to showcase the site's positive effects on health, wellness, and community vitality.
To see more Playgrounds projects, go to: https://landscapearchitect.com/landscape-articles/lasns-commercial-retail-development#article1
For more information about submitting a project, go to: https://landscapearchitect.com/research/editorial/editorial-submissions.php
Filed Under: SEPTEMBER 2026, PLAYGROUNDS, CAPT. JOSEPH MCCONNELL JR. PARK, APPLE VALLEY, CALIFORNIA, PLAYCORE, VERDE DESIGN, LASN
