Fostering Sustainability Through Playgrounds: The Outdoor Classroom

When I was a kid, recess was a key part to my day. It gave my friends and me a chance to relax our mental activities and focus on physical ones. Despite the season, we looked forward to the fresh air and freedom of roaming around our school’s playground.

The playground at Buffalo Public School 90 unites learning and play in an educational environment in a way that I would have loved. The playground is designed with the school’s curriculum in mind, creating outdoor classrooms for students studying science, geography/geology, music, language arts, math and physical education. It’s truly the best of both worlds – at least in my mind.

Other communities like the Valley Region Elementary School No. 6 in Los Angeles, CA and the Learning Garden at Carrollton Elementary School in Saginaw, MI  are other examples.

Innovative outdoor learning spaces like the one at the Buffalo Public Schools encourage children to get dirty and experience the natural world on all levels. In addition, I think it fosters a spirit of sustainability at an early age, creating not only intelligent students but ones dedicated to preserving the environment for years to come.

Tags: Buffalo Public School #90, Innovative Outdoor Learning Spaces, Learning Garden at Carrollton Elementary School, Park Design, Playground Design, Valley Region Elementary School #6

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