Several years back, Keita Takahashi, the game designer behind Katamari Damacy and Noby Noby Boy, mentioned he wanted to design playgrounds. He's been commissioned to do so, and the ball is now starting to get rolling, so to speak.
According to game site GameSetWatch, UK gaming even GameCity and the Nottingham City Council have announced that Takahashi will design a children's playground for Nottingham City at Woodthorpe Grange Park.
Takahashi is currently spending a month in the area and talking to children and locals as well as the City Council landscape architect. Back in 2006, Takahashi expressed interest in a playground "that's soft, and with lots of big blocky shapes, and a place [kids] can't really get hurt - very colorful - where kids can roll around and be free. But it's probably okay if they occasionally get hurt too."
Councillor David Trimbl says, "We're delighted to have Takahashi-san on board and very much looking forward to working with him on this unique collaboration."
Takahashi Designing Children's Playground In Nottingham [GameSetWatch]