The Deschutes Children’s Foundation is a community corner stone. They provide free or low cost facilities for organizations that serve the community’s low income families. Their East Bend Campus houses Head Start and Morning Star Classrooms as well as other child focused community services. The playground was outdated, small and in great need of an update. The DCF staff and program managers brought in Learning Landscapes to design a play area that was age appropriate and expanded the learning opportunities for their young people. The resulting playscape offers nature based play opportunities throughout the expanded play area. Play is grouped into areas including; a sensory play zone, a special area for crawlers and infants, sand and water play, a children’s garden, a large motor activity zone with hills and slides, an outdoor classroom and gathering area. The new play space was welcomed warmly by the community. Students now explore, investigate, build, and grow while outside.
