I’m not sure if this could work, but in the musical sense the space could have ‘concerts’. (this also opens up vendors to more dance move selling points). You could have a “big band” concert with virtual guys and gals doing swing-dancing…a “salsa music” concert paired with Latin dancing…etc!

My Homeling colleagues had an additional suggestion for new park features: a big climbable rock similar to “Homeling Rock” in the Sodium Hub space. Everyone loves getting on top of things, especially if they are not really supposed to do it. A few simple-to-glitch benches would probably be popular as well, for the same reason.

By the way, in case it’s not apparent from the small images, I Photoshopped some of the pictures into fake Seurats. Click of them to see them full size, in all their pixellated pseudo-Impressionist glory.

Your question of aesthetics in comparison to the norm in Home; why is it that even with infinite possibilities of environments from our imaginations do we all fuss and awe at a “regular” park space? The humorous irony is not lost on me here, but it’s also very telling of what people who use virtual reality as an escape and form of relaxation points out. That is, sometimes, the best escape from our harsh realities, is just another one we can relate to in the same way -- minus the reminders of what makes our lives harder.

Personally I like Acorn Park because of its similarities to a place I used to go as a kid too, the mini train being the biggest similarity. Although the park I went to had what we called The Dutch Village -- a playpark on an island in the middle of the lake accessed via an ordinate bridge, or boat/pedalo. And for some reason I always had a fascination with the massive green houses there, and the wishing wells. Oh! And the aviary with exotic birds! And the bouncy castle! And the MASSIVE “Ranch” playpark! And, oh, I’d better just stop now…