Woodside School

The central features for the Woodside School playground design are two unique structures, each one intentionally built to meet strict national playground safety guidelines.

The playhouse was created to exemplify a traditional New England barn with a more suitable scale for the students. It includes an interior ladder to access the attached open concept tree house, which supports the sense of being elevated into the canopy level of a tree. Synthetic turf encompasses the ground plane providing the appearance and ability of a lawn.

The shed combines both easily accessible storage and interactive play by utilizing its elevated “worm crawl” feature. This strategically located shed was constructed using the same materials and construction technique as its neighboring playhouse, giving them uniformity and anchoring them to the site.

Both structures create both passive and active play, nurturing each child’s imagination, and assuring the opportunity to play in a safe and inviting environment.

Surrounding the structures, students are exposed to a variety of safe and entertaining areas each promoting interpretive play. These features include:

• Embankment slides with pre-cast concrete boulders that allow adventurous students to explore the topography change.
• Play mulch encompasses the surrounding area providing a safe landing zone
• A raised sandbox
• Water-spraying acorns
• A hand pump log runnel
• An amphitheater and sport court that encourages team building exercises
• A paved bike path weaves its way through the play space for continuous undisturbed bike riding