By accepting you will be accessing a service provided by a third-party external to https://www.naturalplaygrounds.com/

Bozeman, MT Montessori School

Bozeman-B-A

Typical of the Bozeman, MT area, this Montessori school with children from kindergarten through elementary school ages was built on flat land and surrounded by residential communities.

As you can see from the attached photos, there has been a dramatic change in the landscape, so that now the new mountains and new forests on this site replicate more closely the mountainous regions of this beautiful state.

Our comprehensive design process included working with the children who made models of natural play features they wanted included, many of which were incorporated in our final design.

Now the children have a long slide with a rock scramble, a huge climbing wall built into the hill, a gorgeous, mountain stream, a large sand play area with water, a stone fort, huge gardens, a gazebo with a stage and amphitheater seating, and many other fascinating, intriguing, discovery-oriented activities that keep the kids engaged whenever they are outside playing in this beautiful natural setting.

Because there are future plans to build additional school structures, we incorporated those in our master plan for the campus so that any time other funds are raised for this fabulous project, there is a plan in place that clearly shows where new elements should be located.

Glen Falls Elementary School

Glens-Falls-B-A

What struck us first about this site was that it contained several beautiful, mature pine trees and that two sides butted up against beautiful woods and a potential trail system.

We worked with the principal, teachers, and a very active committee on a comprehensive plan that would dramatically change the landscape and provide many more learning and play opportunities than the kids currently had.

As you can see from the photos, the area has been completely transformed from an almost flat terrain to one with two 10 foot high mountains with slides built into the hills, an 8 foot climbing wall, rockclimbing areas, shallow caves, numerous quiet, reflective areas, a huge amphitheater that accommodates the entire school, upper body exercise elements, fitness and challenge elements, large boulders, and so on.

Not a single tree was cut down, and all were incorporated in the design including one which will anchor a huge tree deck with several climbing and observation opportunities.

The playground is accessible and accommodates children of all ages and abilities.

Is a catalog available?

A lot of people ask us for a catalog. This is interesting, in that playground catalogs typically contain standardized items which can be placed anywhere on any playground site, anywhere in the world.

Because many of our play and learning elements can be used in this manner, we do have an online catalog that you can print because we also understand how wonderful it is to have something in hand that you can show someone else.

But the idea behind this short article is to talk about the uniqueness of Natural Playgrounds, and why they're so difficult to catalog, so let's first start with manufactured playground equipment that you see everywhere.

Manufactured equipment is all the same. It varies in purpose, obviously, but generally the use of each item is predictable and uncreative, and leads children to do the exact same thing over and over again.

Natural playgrounds, on the other hand, contain many natural features and land characteristics that are actually part of the play environment. Further, Natural Playgrounds are by their very nature constantly changing, constantly growing, and constantly providing all kinds of different and new challenges to children. They are totally creative and totally unpredictable, and children can't do the exact same thing over and over again, because the Natural Playground itself keeps changing. This is what makes them unique.

Continue reading

Where do I find money for a natural playground?

We recently ran across this company, RSF Social Finance which believes that the primary role of money is to "serve the highest intentions of the human spirit." In our conversations with their Senior Lending Manager, he said they support the kind of work we do and would welcome applications from our clients!

Continue reading

Woodstock Elementary School Wins Vermont Public Places Award

woodstock-pic1

The children at this school had an old, tired set of wooden playground equipment that was long past its prime, together with a huge paved area that caused massive water, ice, and runoff problems. Basically, the kids had little to do and were constantly bored.

We worked closely with the playground committee using a comprehensive design process which resulted in a beautiful design incorporating mountains, foothills, and play elements built into the existing and new hills.

Continue reading

What does a natural playground cost?

We always know there'll be a time during presentations to prospective clients when someone will ask "how much do natural playgrounds cost?"

I take a deep breath and say "That's a hard one, but if you give me a minute, I'll give you an answer."

It's hard because there are no direct comparisons. A few of the tangibles might be sort of comparable, but it's almost impossible to compare the intangibles. For instance, a slide is a slide, so the experience of actually going down a slide in a manufactured playground and going down a slide built into a hill in a natural playground will be pretty close. But it's really more complicated than that.

Overall

  • They are the same initial investment as a traditional playground
  • 10 times more play and learning elements
  • Significantly higher play value
  • Tailored to your budget
  • Last longer
  • Lower maintenance costs

Here's an example: a 35' long slide gives a great ride for kids of all ages, 5 years to 65 years. To achieve the proper slope for this long a slide, the ladder has to be 20' high. 20' is way off the ground. If kids try climbing the slide and fall off one side, they'll get hurt. If they fall off the ladder, they'll get hurt. Further, if they're afraid of climbing ladders, or are intimidated by height, they won't have a chance to even try the slide.

On the other hand, if this same slide is built into a hill, there is no ladder (so no one can fall off), there is no way a child can be intimidated by height, and there are no sides to fall off of, which makes the slide very safe. Further, if the access up the hill to the top of the slide is made challenging and fun (rock walls to climb, or interesting paths to follow), then children will find the whole experience more interesting and may therefore be more inclined to repeat it -- thus making them exercise more while they're learning more than just climbing up and sliding down. The actual cost of the slide for the natural playground will be far less, as the slide is simpler (no structure, no ladder, no ladder enclosure, no tube to keep kids from falling off), and there is no need for a fall zone all around the slide (it's just at the end).

Continue reading

What are natural playgrounds?

If you've ever climbed trees, rolled down hills, scrambled up rocks, made mud pies, dammed up water, hid in grass, played house in bushes, built snow forts, dug in sand, played in dirt, planted seeds, jumped in leaves, tracked animals, or had fun outside in other, similar ways, you've experienced natural play.Our unique design process helps our pla...
Continue reading
Joomla SEF URLs by Artio

Keep Connected

Stay up to date by subscribing to our newsletter.

© 2013-2020 Natural Playgrounds Company. All Rights Reserved.
Web Design by Blue Muse MediaWorks.