Community Landscape Lab

Examples of Designs for Learning

The following case studies illustrate how educational opportunities can be programmed into recreational space and how integrating learning with more natural landscapes can promote healthier development within children.

Brent Elementary Schoolyard Greening: Phase 1

Butterfly & pollinator garden at the school's south entrance
Image Source:https://www.landscapeperformance.org/case-study-briefs/brent-elementary-schoolyard#/overview

Location: Washington, DC

Date Designed / Built: 2010

Client: Brent Elementary Parents and Teachers Association & DC Public Schools

Designer: Sustainable Life Designs

Project Context

Brent Weeks Elementary School had a fairly conventional school yard with high amounts of barren impervious surfaces. Parents and teachers wanted a school yard that better fostered a sense of community and engaged students in environmental stewardship. Over 100 parents and teachers participated in 3 design charrettes over a two-year period to come up with a phased master plan for the project. DC Public Schools has limited funding for projects outside of buildings so parents raised $260,000 through fundraising and contacting national organizations.

Project Description

Brent Weeks Elementary School was looking to create new learning opportunities to meet curriculum standards through out-of-classroom experiences. The redesign of the schoolyard presented them with the opportunity to do this while increasing student health and enhancing the environmental resilience of the site through the removal of impervious surfaces and the introduction of more native species. Students, parents and faculty are actively engaged in maintaining the school landscape with two annual volunteer events fostering engagement. During the summer, parent volunteers take turns watering and weeding. The project removed 1,500 sf of asphalt and replaced it with rain gardens and planting beds. Other features include a linear rain garden, space for outdoor classes, a butterfly garden, and an “Urban Canyon” featuring native plants and demonstration green roofs.

School yard before improvements
Image Source:https://www.landscapeperformance.org/case-study-briefs/brent-elementary-schoolyard#/overview

School yard after improvements
Image Source:https://www.landscapeperformance.org/case-study-briefs/brent-elementary-schoolyard#/overview

Pollinator garden
Image Source:https://www.landscapeperformance.org/case-study-briefs/brent-elementary-schoolyard#/overview

Urban canyon with green roof demonstration area
Image Source:https://www.landscapeperformance.org/case-study-briefs/brent-elementary-schoolyard#/overview

Project Significance and Impact

The project was able to successfully foster community engagement while providing educational opportunities and improving environmental conditions.

Takeaways for Design

- - Education opportunities and environmental enhancement can be successfully programed together.
  - Active community engagement can go a long way in developing and maintaining a project. Involving community members in the design process can help form a sense of commitment and pride for the project.
  - There is a strong desire for projects like this one. After the completion of the project enrollment demands increased by 191%.

For more information:

https://www.landscapeperformance.org/case-study-briefs/brent-elementary-schoolyard#/overview

http://www.sustainablesites.org/brent-elementary-schoolyard-greening

Seattle Children’s PlayGarden

Aerial view of the PlayGarden (2020) Image Source: https://childrensplaygarden.org/our-story-in-pictures/

Location: Washington, DC

Date Designed / Built: 2006- 2010

Client: Brent Elementary Parents and Teachers Association & DC Public Schools

Designer: Sustainable Life Designs

Project Context

The schoolyard improvements began as an effort to create a positive outdoor space in order to engage students in environmental education and outdoor enjoyment. Due to budget constraints, money was not previously allocated for outdoor spaces, so parents and school officials worked together to initiate the project and brainstorm for outside funding.

Project Description

All the park features are designed to be accessible and eco-friendly. The onsite facilities provide space and programming for therapeutic conditioning for children with disabilities while also providing a wide array of after-school activities and summer camps for all children. Features include playground equipment that is friendly for disabled children and a vegetable garden that can be used by the community as well as students to prepare meals in the onsite kitchen facility. The vegetable garden and rain garden also provide education opportunities for children to learn more about the natural world.

Schoolyard before design improvements

Image Source: https://www.landscapeperformance.org/case-study-briefs/brent-elementary-schoolyard#/overview

Previously paved schoolyard, now featuring seating areas, rain gardens, & native plantings
Image Source: https://www.landscapeperformance.org/case-study-briefs/brent-elementary-schoolyard#/overview

New outdoor classroom space featuring a vegetated teepee, pollinator plantings, & a rain harvesting barrel
Image Source: https://www.landscapeperformance.org/case-study-briefs/brent-elementary-schoolyard#/overview

Pollinator garden with educational singage

Image Source: https://www.landscapeperformance.org/case-study-briefs/brent-elementary-schoolyard#/overview

Playground with wheelchair accessible turf
Image Source:https://childrensplaygarden.org/our-story-in-pictures/

Inclusion workshop hosted at the PlayGarden
Image Source:https://childrensplaygarden.org/our-story-in-pictures/

Community garden
Image Source:https://childrensplaygarden.org/our-story-in-pictures/

Programming for children to learn about gardening and the natural world
Image Source:https://childrensplaygarden.org/our-story-in-pictures/

Project Significance and Impact

The PlayGarden created a space inclusive for all children that has built-in educational programming. It demonstrates projects can accommodate people with special needs without diminishing their overall experience.

Design Takeaways

- - Designs can be inclusive for people of all abilities without sacrificing enjoyment.
  - Spaces can be multi-purpose. This design serves as an educational space for a preschool, a location for summer camps, and as a park for the general public.
  - Implementing a project in phases can be an effective way of making up for limited yearly funding.

For more information:

https://www.landscapeperformance.org/case-study-briefs/seattle-childrens-playgarden#/overview

https://childrensplaygarden.org/playgarden-story/

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse