our playgrounds
We asked our Landscape Architect, Jane Ward, how she goes about designing outdoor play spaces for Sagewood Early Learning and this is what she had to say …..
the client
You start with THE CLIENT, and I am lucky enough to be working for Sagewood, designing with people who are passionate about creating individual, exciting, fitness-enhancing, educational and natural play spaces, and who are prepared to spend the time, money, and energy necessary to set new benchmarks for childcare outdoor environments.
the site
Then you respond to THE SITE, the thing that makes every centre unique. How can you subtly separate age-appropriate play spaces without miles of fencing? Can you introduce changes of level – hills and valleys to run up, and roll down? Is there space for large native trees or is a more compact species required? How can you be a good neighbour to surrounding homes and natural environments, making a positive contribution to the local ecosystem?
the users
Next, I consider THE USERS. I watch the children at play, talk to staff and bounce ideas off Sagewood COO, Jay Barr, to gain an understanding of what works and what doesn’t. Together we design spaces to challenge the kids; to help them explore risk in a controlled way; to discover and interact with nature, and with each other; but, most of all, places to have fun.
It’s all about striking a balance: between man-made (sail) and natural (tree) shade (to maximise the amount of time that can be spent outdoors); between active spaces (for running, climbing and riding) and more passive, intimate spaces to withdraw to; and, ultimately, constructing a landscape that is resilient enough to survive the attentions of a lot of little hands and feet!
the learning
Last, but not least, comes THE LEARNING. The landscape design maximises the opportunities for experimentation with water, sand and mud, and also includes a range of sensory experiences (e.g., path textures and aromatic planting) for the very young. Where possible, I include raised veggie planters for gardening activities as well as fenced “Secret Garden” areas (where we can protect native/bush tucker plants for educational purposes), together with a fire pit and yarning circle for story time.
Thanks to Sagewood (and the construction teams from Natural Playgrounds and Axis Landscape Solutions), I have been free to conjure up café cubbies, hidey holes, stages with curtains and DIY mazes to enrich their playscapes and that we all hope will fire-up the imagination of children for many years to come.
We are proud to be partnered with PlayActive. Being part of the study from the beginning has been a crucial factor to planning our playgrounds. Physical activity is critical during the early years of life for a child’s health and development, providing many benefits including a healthy body weight, improved bone health and cardiovascular fitness, and enhanced cognitive, emotional and psychosocial development.
