Insect Hotels : A Refuge for Insects When I stumbled upon my first insect hotel a few years ago, I never knew that there were so many different kinds and looks. I explain the reasoning behind these intriguing insect abodes and I have collected some of my favorite images and resources below. Some insect hotels […]
“Summa Institute unites family development, education and research through an unprecedented child-centered, family supportive learning community where inspiration and wisdom emerge.” Working with the Summa Institute has been a joy. This new school and educational program is set up to help students flourish. The site plan for the Summa Institute includes many […]
My first job in life is landscape architecture (or is that third after wife and mother?). Either way, web designer is now on the list somewhere. If all has gone well you have automatically followed me from my last blog to this new website and blog combo. Welcome! If you got this email you have […]
Major League Soccer conducted a “How Green Are Your Goals?” fan contest to see which MLS city was the most environmentally involved. By no surprise, the Timbers Fans supported their green team and won a school beautification and solar panel installation for Hosford School in SE Portland. On Earth Day, Timbers Players and students worked side by side […]
It seems that playgrounds consisting of a sea of asphalt with a few pieces of playground equipment off to the side have been the norm for a long time. Some of us think that it has been the norm for too long! We want to see this… where there use to be this… 1 […]
It was a cool March morning, but the sand and water area at Harper’s Playground was packed! Kids were sliding down all sides of the ‘grassy’ hill. From a distance the play area looked peaceful and really fun. My daughter ran for it across the lawn. Harper’s Playground – Portland Oregon ” Harper’s Playground will build community by providing an […]
The National Wildlife Federation is celebrating National Wildlife Week with some great information about animals and how they depend on trees. There is a 6′ tall poster, trading cards on animals and trees as well as free trees for students to plant. These are great resources to jump start a conversation with the young people in your […]
A Month of German Inspiration This is one of the mist engaging pieces I saw in Germany. (Completely against the ASTM safety rules in the US.) This 5 sided wood pole swing structure lets kids swing toward one another and makes for a very dynamic and social swinging experience.
A Month of German Inspiration Introducing the bug hotel, built by high school students to house bugs near their garden. It is also beautiful and artistic.
A Month of German Inspiration A reminder not to take myself to seriously! These hand rails on the stairs provided a bunch of play value too. Kids seem to find something to entertain themselves no matter what.
A Month of German Inspiration This hand pump and water channel were by far the most popular event in this very busy schoolyard. You can see the boulder water channel that continues into the playground. I am not sure what the vision was, but when we were there the water never got further then 20 […]
A Month of German Inspiration There are so many types of little forts, houses and play buildings. Kids use every inch (and side) of these spaces. At this school the roofs were getting just as much use at the inside. Remember this when you decide what is surrounding your fort or house. Make the spaces safe for […]
A Month of German Inspiration In the heart of the Berlin, this long linear park gave kids a sense of wilderness even though it is packed between two 4 story apartment buildings. At first it seems kind of boring, lots of messy vegetation and undeveloped paths. But, this is the empty lot nature experience that urban kids […]
A Month of German Inspiration This neat little log wall separated the play area from adjacent uses. Large wood burned designs gave it a nice organic feeling.
A Month of German Inspiration I really liked this piece because it was simple and afforded the experience of climbing on and in a log type structure. The steps and slide really enhance the active play options.
A Month of German Inspiration I am not sure that German kids are tougher then American kids, or less prone to falling. But, their play environments are not as focused on fall surfacing and use zones. It allows a freedom that we don’t see. On this hill a variety of climbing net activities were arranged […]
A Month of German Inspiration This wooden spider and his accompanying net offered a fun climbing event for little ones. Custom wood creatures were found all over Berlin.
A Month of German Inspiration This adventure play area was fantastic! If I lived near this as a kid this is where you would have found me every day. Each kid can rent a numbered platform for 2 weeks and build their own fort. Two of my favorite management aspects were-1. They were organized – see the […]
A Month of German Inspiration This concrete ping pong table was everywhere! In so many schools I saw groups of kids using it creatively. Here a dozen kids walk in a circle around the table while the ball goes back and forth, turning a 2 person game into an active group event.
A Month of German Inspiration This rock with small bowl shaped divots, sat under a willow dome. It served as a quieter place on a busy schoolyard for a small group of girls to gather. The activity today was’ tattoos’ with a wet colored pencil. It actually worked really well!
I visited Germany, Berlin specifically, a few years ago and did a 4 day bike tour of nature playscapes. The spaces were amazing. Their outlook and approach to play are very different then the US. I returned feeling energized and hopeful. This month I want to share some of those images with you. I will focus on […]
It is rain season in Oregon. Occasionally we get sun and bitter cold. But, most days are grey and wet. I know this makes many parents nervous. I have even found myself making a list of indoor places that we can go and run around. But, outdoor exploration is still available to us. Suit up […]
It is the middle of winter and stormwater is on our minds here in Portland. It is a topic most kids are drawn to. What little kid can resist a puddle? We have a fabulous opportunity to teach with stormwater at our schools. It is visible, occurs all winter long and can be quite beautiful. Collecting […]
Some kids are born to build! I can remember building lots of forts indoors and out. My favorite hiding place with a grove of fir trees (old family Christmas Trees) with a concrete block inside that was my table, couch, potions lab all in one. There are a lot more tools out there today for building and […]
There are many options out there for music in outdoor play spaces. From large drums to chimes and many percussion instruments. These early encounters with sounds and music can instill a love of music and get kids over the fear of not being able to ‘play’ the instrument well. Below are a few ideas to remember […]
I share a lot of ideas and projects on the blog that are related to public projects and sites that are open for all types of users. In no way was this meant to say that nature play needs to be done on a large scale. Quite on the contrary, many parts of nature play have to […]
A few years ago this lot was covered in trees, with a lone picnic table. Neighbors were not clear if they were even allowed in. At the Engleman Park grand opening next week it will be clear that this is a community space for play and relaxation that is centered around nature. The park will […]
Natural Playground Construction Timelapse from Turtle Rock Preschool on Vimeo. I find these photos very inspiring. Their use of wood and natural materials is beautiful and in nice proportions. The resulting spaces, most of which are in schools, would be inspiring and trans formative for young people. I have seen a few climbers similar to this, but […]
Last week the crane was out in full force at Silver Falls State Park. The Bear, Cougar, and Bird themed discovery areas are under construction. The Silver Falls State Park Animal Discovery Area was design around a 1/4 mile loop path and 15 animal themed areas. The setting and access to natural materials will make this a […]
I have been part of a few conversations recently that were circling the idea of environmental education and nature play. We all know kids learn through play, but we often try to sneak little lessons in our natural play areas. At what point is enough enough? The Line Between Play and EducationWhere can kids just […]
