Project
The Marbles Playway
The Marbles Playway is a whimsical urban oasis celebrating play through color, creativity, and self-expression. Located on the Marbles Kids Museum campus in downtown Raleigh, the newly renovated courtyard is universally accessible and free to all. Adjacent to Moore Square, it enhances the city’s park network, amplifies the value of small urban spaces, and contributes to a more vibrant and welcoming downtown. The Playway is expected to welcome more than 500,000 annual visitors, extending the museum’s mission beyond its walls.
The Playway is a vibrant reflection of Marbles itself, where curiosity and imagination meet art and nature. Connectivity is key: a ribbon of rainbow circles draws visitors from Moore Square through a fantastical garden of giant flowers and playful insects to Marbles’ IMAX theatre. The project was a collaboration among Marbles, McAdams, Clearscapes, Barnhill, and Wake County, brought to life with care and creativity.
Landscape Design
Sir Walter Raleigh Award for Community Appearance | The Marbles Playway
2025
- Location
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- Raleigh, NC
- Project Owner
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- Marbles Kids Museum
- Project Size
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- 11,500 SF
- Teaming Partners
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- Clearscapes
- Marbles Kids Museum
- Barnhill Contracting
- Wake County
- Services Leveraged
- Project Types
At the heart of the space are two custom-designed, pollinator-themed climbing structures, a bee and a dragonfly, created by the Marbles Exhibits team. Part public art, part play structure, they inspire movement and exploration. Nearby, sculptural metal gates by a local artist were preserved, influencing the surrounding design and adding unique artistic character.
A resilient lawn made from recycled plastics offers a cushioned play surface that flows seamlessly to the sidewalk, inviting passersby to pause and participate. Open sightlines, low walls, native plantings, and large stone slabs enhance safety and sensory richness. Reused materials like boulders and concrete sphere planters add continuity and texture.
More than a playground, The Marbles Playway is a joyful and inclusive community space where children, families, and downtown pedestrians can connect with art, nature, and each other. It shows how thoughtful design can turn even the smallest urban spaces into meaningful places of play and belonging.
