The Children’s Center is located on the SDSU campus and provides full day educational programming for children ages 6 months to 5 years. Jennifer Spencer worked closely with the staff and other members of the SDSU community to create a master plan that updates the school’s outdoor areas with more natural settings, reflecting the Center’s philosophy of recognizing the importance of natural environmnets to children’s health. Some features of the plan include: raised vegetable gardens that form a maze to play in; a willow hut that allows for shelter while still allowing visibility; a bioswale for stormwater management and educational opportunities; a climbing rock play structure that includes water and sand features; a bamboo grove to screen large storage containers; and a simple raised platform structure in the bamboo grove to simulate a “bird’s nest.” The new design creates an outdoor environment that fosters development and learning through interaction with nature.

*work completed while employed at WRT, Inc.