Trees and forests protect and shelter many species of life on earth. About 70% of land animals and plants live in the forest. Forests also help water vapor continue the water cycle into the atmosphere, and trees absorb greenhouse gases that lessen the effects of global warming. 30 percent of the world’s land area is forest, yet rows and rows of trees the spanning the area of Panama are lost every year.

Some of these losses are due to natural wildfire and some are due to industry extraction. In agriculture, famers cut down trees to make way for their harvest. Timber and Paper companies take trees from around the world like Scandinavia, Baltic States, North America, and Eastern Europe, to import back in their home countries.

In 2004, the UK harvested 11.1 million cubic meter of timber. By 2020, the estimated harvested cubic meters are predicted to be 16 million. Total of 420,000 tons of waste wood by households, and the disposal of wood waste are rare.

Other organization such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) have caught on. They are an independent, non-governmental, not-for-profit organization that sets regulations to how trees travel from its birth ground into whatever product they become. Customers seeing their trademark understand that the product they are purchasing follow a regulated chain of custody. The public at home, however, also needs to be more aware of how to use wood responsibly. Wood flooring and cabinets can be reduced, reuse, and recycle.

This project is encouraging the public to take responsibility as citizens of the world as they are using the world’s natural resources before trees and forest disappear. We need to plan for a healthier globe for the future generation by cleaning the baton before we pass it off.

Kensington Park were Next Step Park can be installed

Next Step Park, is a monument and an ode to trees. A large vibrant tree stands in between a path of two wood panels. These panels are reused wood flooring from a residential home.  One path leads to a wrinkle tree stump, and the other leads to a playground. This is a family friendly park open to the public. The playground is made from recycled wood, and it sits on top of mulch made from old wood. Next to the tree, in-between the two paths, a concrete plinth holds a plaque has the following engraved: “Next Step Park: an Ode to trees and forest, dedicated to the next generation.”

The path leading to children playing on the playground represents the next generation  and how recycled products can be integrated in their daily lives for a positive effect. On the other hand, the tree stump represent the risk of deforestation. As we stand between the two paths, we have to make a choice on what direction our next step should be.

This project can go further, and start as a mock up for parks around the world in different counties. This is a global issue, not just the UK or the US. Next Step can be a branding for an eco friendly children product company. Not only in public, but Next Step can branch out in private residential homes for backyard playgrounds. This is just the begging where we ask, what is our next step?

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