LEARNING LANDSCAPES The Ultimate Outdoor School Makeover
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Transcript of LEARNING LANDSCAPES The Ultimate Outdoor School Makeover
LEARNING LANDSCAPES
The Ultimate Outdoor School Makeover
CEFPI Southwest
Region Annual
Conference
Denver, CO
May 10, 2012
Carol Henry, PLA, ASLA, CEFPI
Principal, Design Concepts
Darin DeLay
Denver Public Schools
Project Manager, Learning Landscapes
IntroductionIntroduction
“I have long realized that we cannot have a great city and great neighborhoods without great schools”
Mayor Wellington Webb
“As a community, we receive so many benefits from ensuring that children receive a strong well-rounded education…Learning Landscapes is a perfect model of what can be accomplished when the private sector, public sector, and the nonprofit community are engaged and invested in a common goal.”
Mayor John Hickenlooper
IntroductionIntroduction
Learning Landscapes are:
•Participatory landscapes that support outdoor learning with academic, physical education and socialization tools for school-age children.
•Multigenerational spaces for both students and the community
•An aesthetically pleasing focal point for the community.
HistoryHistory
•Since 1998, in partnership with Denver Public Schools, we have transformed 97 neglected public elementary schoolyards into attractive and safe multi-use parks tailored to the needs and desires of their neighbors and communities.
•$49 Million invested in construction
•Serves over 45,000 students daily
•2009 Entrepreneurial American Community Award (DPS/UCD)
HistoryHistory
Research Shows:
Significant improvements in student CSAP writing scores due to outdoor environments for science and literacy (journal writing) according to DPS and DU’s Urban Partnership for Improving Science
Students are able to pay attention for longer periods of time on the same assignment outdoors and are more focused when they return to the indoor class work (Louv 2008)
Highest ranking teaching strategy in a recent study was Enhanced Context Strategies, this included using the schoolyard for lessons (Scott et al 2005)
Program ElementsProgram Elements
•Shade Shelter
•Community Gateway
•Outdoor Classroom
•Multi-Purpose Field
•Track
•Habitat Garden
•Student Learning/Community Garden
•Asphalt Hard Court Games
•Educational Elements/Theme
•Art Elements
•Play Equipment
Program ElementsProgram Elements
Community InvolvementCommunity Involvement
Educational Elements/ThemingEducational Elements/Theming
Educational Elements/ThemingEducational Elements/Theming
Shade SheltersShade Shelters
Shade SheltersShade Shelters
Community GatewaysCommunity Gateways
Multi-Purpose FieldMulti-Purpose Field
Art - ArtistsArt - Artists
Art - ArtistsArt - Artists
Art - ArtistsArt - Artists
Art - ArtistsArt - Artists
Art - StudentsArt - Students
Art - StudentsArt - Students
Art - StudentsArt - Students
MusicMusic
Outdoor ClassroomsOutdoor Classrooms
Outdoor ClassroomsOutdoor Classrooms
Outdoor ClassroomsOutdoor Classrooms
Outdoor ClassroomsOutdoor Classrooms
Natural Teaching OpportunitiesNatural Teaching Opportunities
Playground EquipmentPlayground Equipment
Gardens - StudentGardens - Student
Gardens – The Kitchen CommunityGardens – The Kitchen Community
Gardens – Denver Urban GardensGardens – Denver Urban Gardens
Gardens – Urban FarmingGardens – Urban Farming
VolunteersVolunteers
VolunteersVolunteers
Before and After – Beach Court ESBefore and After – Beach Court ES
Before and After – Beach Court ESBefore and After – Beach Court ES
Before and After – Denison Montessori SchoolBefore and After – Denison Montessori School
Before and After – Denison Montessori SchoolBefore and After – Denison Montessori School
Before and After – Denison Montessori SchoolBefore and After – Denison Montessori School
Before and After – Denison Montessori SchoolBefore and After – Denison Montessori School
Before and After – Denison Montessori SchoolBefore and After – Denison Montessori School
Before and After – Denison Montessori SchoolBefore and After – Denison Montessori School
Before and After – Denison Montessori SchoolBefore and After – Denison Montessori School
Before and After – Denison Montessori SchoolBefore and After – Denison Montessori School
Before and After – Denison Montessori SchoolBefore and After – Denison Montessori School
ResultsResults
MaintenanceMaintenance
•Denver Water credits for utilization of smart irrigation systems (iCentral)
Lessons LearnedLessons Learned
A
future elementary
school
•Fewer fights/bullying/trips to Principal’s office – conflict resolution
•Increased physical activity
•Improved outdoor opportunities tied to curriculum – Improved test scores
•Elevated learning curve in first months of opening new learning landscape
•Calculated risk taking skills – testing new boundaries
•Increased community involvement/ownership
•Increase/decrease in vandalism after hours
•Improved social skills
•Problem solving skills
•Real estate value increase
•Learning through play
Partnering OpportunitiesPartnering Opportunities
A
future elementary
school
•University of Colorado at Denver www.learninglandscapes.org
•Denver Public Schools
•City and County of Denver
•Kaboom Play Equipment
•Kitchen Community and other local restaurants
•Slow Food Denver
•Urban Farms: Agriburbia, Revision International, Sprout City Farms
•Denver Urban Gardens for Community Gardens
•The Gates Foundation
•Americorps
•Comcast
•Target
•Home Depot
•Local businesses
•Local nurseries
LEARNING LANDSCAPES
The Ultimate Outdoor School Makeover
Questions?
Thank you!Thank you!