Jim Miller-Melberg’s most beloved creations were his play sculptures, manufactured for almost 50 years by his company Form, Inc. and Wausau Tile. He offered a whole line of concrete products such as benches, waste containers, and a cantilevered basketball standard. But his animal and climbing sculptures most live on in the hearts and memories of those who grew up with them. Miller’s playground sculptures were ergonomically designed with finger grips, holes for climbing and peeking through, and smooth edges and surfaces for riding and sliding.
Today these pieces are somewhat endangered as many of their locations have fallen into disrepair and some communities have decided that kids might hurt themselves climbing on concrete. Today’s playgrounds have turned to softer and rubberized materials. Though originally unpainted (colors were mixed into the concrete), some later painting also raised fears of lead exposure. And the pieces are so heavy that many developers simply demolish them.
Yet those who keep their eyes open can still spot Miller-Melberg play sculptures across the country, many in beautiful condition and beloved by their communities. Miller’s play sculptures strike an emotional chord in those who played on them as children in simpler times. They are simultaneously retro and futuristic. It is impossible not to be happy when being surprised by a Miller-Melberg turtle sighting!
Turtle in Taylor, MI (Photo: Scott Hocking)
Miller designed his Turtle in 1959 and estimated that 5,000 were sold. It is 6 feet long and weighs 750 lbs. It was available in plain cement or in yellow or brown. The plates on top of the shell were painted in bright colors, the only factory paining of any of Miller's concrete pieces. The Turtle was also available as a "sleeping turtle" with head and legs retracted, and available with a spray fountain at the top of the shell.
Saddle Slide in Ypsilanti, MI (Photo: Scott Hocking)
The Saddle Slide was originally designed by Robert Nichols along with a team of designers and sold by his company Playground Associates. Miller inherited and redesigned the piece as part of a deal with Nichols. It has 4 small holes for climbing and one large hole, is 9 feet long, and weighs 1,520 lbs. It was available in plain cement, yellow, red, orange, brown, and black.
Porpoise in Taylor, MI (Photo: Scott Hocking)
Miller's Porpoise was available as a play sculpture or as a fountain with cast bronze spray attachments at the snout or fin. It is 7 feet long and weighs 1,440 lbs. It was available in plain concrete and black.
Moonhouse in Pontiac, MI (Photo: Scott Hocking)
Miller designing the Moonhouse (Courtesy Brent Jurrjens)
Miller's Moonhouse came as a single or double unit. It is one of the most rare of his play sculptures. It had 16 small holes and 6 crawl-through holes. It is 8 feet long and weighs 5,500 lbs. It was available in yellow and orange.
Pedestal Table and Chairs in Romulus, MI (Photo: Scott Hocking)
Miller's game tables came in three designs. The chess and checkers game board was "terazzo cast integrally with the table and polished to expose colored aggregates and cement."
Tree Form in Lincoln Park, MI (Photo: Scott Hocking)
The Tree Form is 80" tall and weighs 875 lbs. It was available in plain cement, charcoal grey, yellow, red orange, and brown.
Castle in Highland Park, MI (Photo: Scott Hocking)
Miller's Castle was a "modular system of hollow cylindrical forms" and came in 6 different forms. The units were bonded together with epoxy when installed. The constructions were a variety of heights and weights.
Dinosaur in Grosse Pointe Woods, MI (Photo: Scott Hocking)
The Dinosaur, a Sauropod, is a seldom-seem beast in Miller's menagerie.
Playwall in Westland, MI (Photo: Scott Hocking)
The Playwall is 6 feet high and weighs 1,280 lbs, and usually seen in pairs. For obvious reasons it is frequently called the "Swiss Cheese" wall.
Elephant at Cascades Falls Park, Jackson, MI (Photo: Richard Merrill Bowser)
The Elephant was commsioned after Miller had sold his company to Wausau Tile. It was designed in 1988 and is one of the scarcer of his play sculpture pieces.
Play Arcs in Detroit, MI (Photo: Scott Hocking)
The Play Arc is 50" tall and weighs 810 lbs. It was available in plain concrete, yellow, red, and orange.
Sketch of Camel (Courtesy Brent Jurrjens)
Camel in Livonia, MI (Photo: Scott Hocking)
Miller's Camel was the result of a request from Saudi Arabia; the client ordered 20 of them for Saudi playgrounds! It was one of Miller's favorite designs. The Camel is 6.5 feet long and weighs 2,000 lbs.
[Sources: Bogart, Jurrjens, Minton, Hocking, Form, Inc. Catalogue. Details in Sources Page]
