Designing a Dream Park - Exploring Area and Perimeter

Introduction

Imagine Slippery Rock Township received a grant to establish a new park in town, and they've chosen you to help design it. Congratulations! Your job is to design a park layout that includes paths to walk on, gardens, benches or sitting areas, a playground, and one designated court (i.e. basketball, tennis, pickleball, etc.). Your park MUST fit in the given land size and meet certain requirements. 

Throughout this WebQuest, you will have to apply your knowledge of area, perimeter, and scale drawing in order to create your park. 

Task

By the end of this WebQuest, you will:

  • Design a scaled park layout on graph paper or digitally (for example, Canva, Google Drawings). 
  • Calculate the area and perimeter of each feature of your park. 
  • Present your design to the class with an explanation of your math reasoning and creative decisions. 

Your final submission will include:

  1. A labeled park design (drawn or digital). 
  2. A short, written explanation (1-2 paragraphs) describing how you used area and perimeter in your design. 
  3. A reflection on how math helps in real-world design. 
Process

1. Explore the Basics:

2. Plan Your Design:

3. Do the Math!

  • Use graph paper or a digital grid to draw your design to scale (1 square = 10 ft). 
  • Calculate the area and perimeter of each feature and label them on your diagram. 
  • Record your calculations in a table.

4. Create Your Final Design:

  • Build your final version by drawing on paper OR in Canva, Google Drawings, or Desmos Geometry Tool. 
  • Make it visually appealing and accurate to scale. 

5. Share and Reflect:

  • Upload your finished design and explanation to Google Classroom. 
  • Comment on one peer's park design, noting one strength and one suggestion. 

 

Evaluation
Criteria 4 - Excellent 3 - Good 2 - Developing 1 - Beginning
Math Accuracy All area and perimeter calculations are correct. Most calculations are correct.  Some errors in calculations.  Many errors or missing work. 
Design & Creativity Design is neat, creative, and well-organized.  Design is clear with some creativity.  Design lacks organization or originality.  Design is incomplete or unclear. 
Use of Scale Design accurately reflects the given scale.  Minor errors in scaling.  Several scaling inaccuracies.  Scale not used or unclear. 
Explanation & Reflection Explanation is thoughtful, clear, and connects math to real life.  Explanation is clear but lacks depth.  Explanation is brief or unclear.  Explanation is missing or off topic. 
Collaboration & Effort Demonstrates full engagement and teamwork.  Mostly engaged and collaborative.  Partial participation.  Minimal effort. 

 

 

Conclusion

You've just experienced what it’s like to use math in a real-world design project! Through calculating area, perimeter, and scale, you’ve seen how mathematical thinking shapes our communities.



As an extension, explore how architects and city planners use geometry and measurement in real projects. Or, you can redesign your park to fit a new challenge (like adding a skate park or picnic area)!

Credits

This WebQuest was created by Sarah Meyer fir educational use in a 7th Grade Mathematics classroom. 

Digital Resources: 

Teacher Page

Grade Level: 7th Grade

Subject: Mathematics - Geometry: Area, Perimeter, and Scale Drawing

Essential Question: How can mathematical concepts like area, perimeter, and scale be used to design real-world spaces that are both functional and creative?

 

Standards Alignment (CCSSM):

  • 7.G.A.1
  • 7.G.B.4
  • 7.G.B.6
  • MP.4
  • MP.5

Learning Objectives:

Students will...

  • Apply formulas for area and perimeter in real-world design. 
  • Create a scale drawing of a park that meets given constraints. 
  • Accurately calculate and label measurements for multiple geometric shapes. 
  • Collaborate and communicate mathematical reasoning clearly. 
  • Use digital design tools to visualize and share their work.