Natural Edging
Logs, granite boulders and recycled granite curb define the edges of garden areas and paths.
Supports children's needs for:
texture, color, variety, balance, seating, visual cues of boundaries & walkways.
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Swings
Four bays of 2 swings each with wood chip surfacing.
Supports children's needs for:
vestibular, gross motor & cardiovascular movement.
Recycled Granite Curb Retaining Wall
Dry-laid wall of granite curb retains earth moved in the cutting out of the hill, holds up edge of path above, provides visual interest, and is durable. Steps made from granite curbing can be seen at far left.
Supports children's needs for:
texture, variety, balance, seating, visual cues of boundaries.
Running/Walking Route
Design of the playground offers a varied set of routes for walking, running and navigating the space on a variety of surfaces, slopes, and through a range of environments.
Supports children's needs for:
Variety, gross motor movement, running, walking, climbing, exploration, changing environment.
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Rain Garden
Beds planted with a variety of moisture-tolerent, native plants that provide an effective filter for pavement run-off that was eroding this area of the slope.
Supports children's needs for:
color, texture, plant variety, nature exploration.
Boat & Dock Area
Wooden boat and dock play structures placed in a problem area that was wet & muddy after heavy rain.
Supports children's needs for:
drainage, seating, plantings, path, pretend/imaginative play, texture, variety of materials, changes in elevation, "secret spaces".
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Trees Throughout Site
Variety of trees includes: birch, flowering cherry, crab apples, evergreens.
Supports children's needs for:
shade, nature, variety (change in seasons), small parts play, sound, classroom resource.
Seating Options Throughout Site
There are 15+ places to sit throughout the site, providing formal and informal places for children or adults to sit, talk, play or watch.
Supports children's needs for:
places to take a break physically, socialize with one or more friends, observe, congregate, find quiet solitude, or pause to watch others at play.
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Courtyard Forest
The design of this upland forest includes canopy trees, understory trees, shrubs and herbaceous plant material.
Supports children's needs for:
color, texture, plant variety, nature exploration, classroom resource.
Outdoor Classroom Circle
Recycled granite curbing placed in a circle and nestled into the garden creates this outdoor classroom space.
Supports children's needs for:
seating, experiential learning , nature exploration, socializing, quiet solitude, pretend/imaginative play, texture, variety of materials, "secret spaces".
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Raised Bed Maze
Three-foot high raised beds built in a maze pattern, with easy access from nearby classrooms.
Supports children's needs for:
experiential learning setting, gross motor movement, paths, nature exploration, pretend/imaginative play, texture, variety of materials, "secret spaces".
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Hardscape Play Area
Two basketball hoops, a number of four-square courts, and room for other hardscape games.
Supports children's needs for:
vestibular, gross motor, cardiovascular & proprioceptive movement.
Sand Play Area
Located below the granite climbing wall. Serves as a fall-zone, as well as a the perfect place for sand play.
Supports children's needs for:
texture, fine motor play, loose parts play, pretend/imaginative play, variety of materials.
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Granite Climbing/Sitting Wall
Three large sections of Maine granite carved with hand and foot holds. A place to climb or sit and socialize with friends.
Supports children's needs for:
risk, balance, height, seating, texture, variety, gross motor, vestibular & proprioceptive movement.
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Bridge
Offers a topographic change- an opportunity to play at a height above ground-level.
Supports children's needs for:
changes in elevation, variety, visual cues of boundaries and walkways.
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Bird & Butterfly Garden
Habitat garden planted with native plants that attract birds and butterflies.
Supports children's needs for:
color, texture, plant variety, nature exploration, classroom resource.
Shade Structure/ Amphitheater
Beautifully designed pergola covers amphitheatre seating made from recycled grantie curbing.
Supports children's needs for:
seating, classroom space, shade, pretend/imaginative play.
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Stump Steps
Three-foot long stumps are burried to varrying heights to create an interesting play feature, as well as a place to sit with friends, or meet with a class.
Supports children's needs for:
vestibular, gross motor & proprioceptive movement; balance, texture, variety of materials.
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Pirate Ship
Pirate ship tucked among mature trees, built on a raised platform and a favorite for imaginative play.
Supports children's needs for:
pretend/imaginative play, texture, variety of materials, changes in elevation, "secret spaces".
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Play Equipment
Playground equipment with rubber safety surfacing.
Supports children's needs for:
vestibular, gross motor & proprioceptive movement.
Grassy Field
Baseball field for sports games and large group play.
Supports children's needs for:
gross motor movement, paths, team play.
Bird & Butterfly Mosaic
Beautiful tile mosaic representing the birds, butterflies and plants found in the adjacent garden. Mosaic was researched and created by first grade students, under the guidance of local artist Leah Cross.
Supports children's needs for:
color, texture, art, classroom resource.
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Stone Dragon
This public art by sculptor Carole Hanson was relocated to EECS, and greets students on their way into school.
Supports children's needs for:
texture, art, balance, variety of materials, vestibular, gross motor & proprioceptive movement.
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Information
Click temporarily on the running child below to see how children move through a well-designed play space.
School Garden
Students work with local experts to plan, plant, and maintain the School Garden. Located across the street from the school and adjacent to the local Community Garden.
Supports children's needs for:
fine & gross motor skills, variety of materials, texture, classroom resource.
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Map Key
A - School Garden
B - Equipment
C - Stone Dragon
D - Rain Garden
E - Retaining Wall
F - Swings
G - Boat & Dock
H - Running Route
I - Courtyard Forest
J - Classroom Circle
K - Raised Bed Maze
L - Hardscape
M - Climbing Wall
N - Bridge
O – Sand Play
P - Stumps
Q - Grassy Field
R - Ship
S - Trees
T - Shade Structure
U - Edging
V - Bird & Butterfly Garden
W - Mosaic
X - Seating
