Why Focus on Playscape Design
Our work is rooted in the understanding that well being and joy in life is deeply tied to engaging in self-directed, creative endeavor in a safe environment. We do this with a strong sense of connection to our human and natural community. Each distinct nature playscape design grows from each unique community. We gather around a mutual agreement that together we can do so much better…and then we start to see real change!
Beyond the physical improvements (the log, the rock, the sand) we see stronger communities. You will see adults letting go and running through a willow dome after a group of giggling youngsters. Small groups of children working together to solve complex spatial and social problems, when minutes before they were strangers. We observe a flow state in play that many adults only dream of achieving. You can literally see growth in high level executive functioning (self-regulation, problem solving, cognitive flexibility) as you watch the resulting play. Without getting to technical, play actually builds brain synopsis and mental capacity! We believe it is a human right to embody joy and wonder through self-directed playful exploration. Our team of landscape architects, educators and safety experts achieves this though in-depth and community reflective design.
We design intriguing natural play and learning environments for educational, park and family destinations.
Our Specialized Focus
- Nature Playscape Design in Public Spaces
- Universally Accessible Play Areas
- Outdoor Spaces for Learning
- Applying National Safety Guidelines to Alternative Play
- STEM in Outdoor Play (Science, Tech, Engineering, Math)
- Informed Construction Detailing
- Multi-generational Exploration Spaces
- Loose Parts in Play
You will not find streetscapes or corporate campuses in our portfolio. Well, did we hear “play street”, “learning campus”… if so call us. We chase work that excites us.
We are not talking about ‘work’, but to say it is merely ‘play’ misses the value and complexity of the experience.
Experienced in Playscape Design
The human experience is just that, a collection of experiences. Our experiences include a lot of testing, redesigning, and learning about children’s spaces. We have put a lot of logs in the ground, tested hand pumps, lamented over loose parts, and followed up years later to learn more from our work and the work of others. The journey has been fun and we are ready to apply our lessons learned to your nature playscape design project.
Unique and Engaging Nature Playscape Design
We are wonderful listeners. Our mothers taught us well. Your unique design will grow from YOUR people and YOUR place. There is no top down pushing of ideas or components. We build it together from the ground up…literally. Please reach out in our contact form and we will get in touch shortly.
Let us help you
Learn to play and play to learn.
Michelle Mathis
Principal Designer
Michelle Mathis is a landscape architect and founder of Learning Landscapes Design. Sustainable places for learning, play and recreation have been her focus for over fifteen years. She has in depth project experience from community involvement to construction observation for early childhood, parks, schools and other family destination projects. Her Master’s Degree in Education with a focus on whole systems design for education, is coupled with her strong design sense to create spaces that are engaging and intrinsically support learning. Most recently Michelle has focused her design work on nature based play areas for parks, educational facilities, and schools.
PROFESSIONAL LICENSES AND AFFILIATIONS
- Licensed Landscape Architect
- Masters in Education
- Certified Playground Safety Inspector – National Parks and Recreation Association
- Founder and Member of Oregon Natural Play Initiative – Oregon Recreation and Parks Association
- Steering Committee Member – National Wildlife Federation’s National Guidelines for Play and Learning
Kerry White
Project Manager
Landscape Architect
Kerry White is a landscape architect with 16 years of experience designing a wide range of projects throughout the US. As the head of our Milwaukie office, she manages small and large scale projects from concept to construction documentation and implementation. She has years of experience designing, detailing, and coordinating natural log climbing structures, hands on play areas, and stormwater facilities. Her focus is on urban design, playscape design, and site planning projects that promote education and encourage a healthy lifestyle.
Kerry grew up in central Illinois and Wisconsin. Her interest in nature play design evolved from her own childhood environment, where she was surrounded by nature from a very young age. She has a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, where she found her true passion for playscape design while volunteering in playground construction and early education design workshops.
PROFESSIONAL LICENSES AND AFFILIATIONS
- Licensed Landscape Architect
- Certified Playground Safety Inspector
Hannah Hefner
Project Designer
Hannah is a landscape designer with 8 years of site design and planning experience. She is a designer at the Portland, OR Learning Landscapes Design office. Hannah has extensive experience in designing, detailing, and preparing construction documents for landscapes which promote an active, playful lifestyle. Her specialties include public urban design, playground design, and camp/resort planning.
Growing up in Arkansas, Hannah embraced the wild environment and learned how to carefully observe the natural world. This influenced her site-sensitive approach to design. After getting her Bachelor of Landscape Architecture at the University of Arkansas with a focus on playful and engaging landscapes, Hannah moved to Portland, OR where she had the opportunity to continue developing her landscape design skills while exploring the stunning and varied landscapes of the Pacific Northwest.
PROFESSIONAL LICENSES AND AFFILIATIONS
• Licensed Landscape Architect
• Volunteer Designer at Boise-Eliot Native Grove (2019)
• University of Oregon Shadow Mentor Day Mentor (2018-2021)
• Member of Ladies of Landscape Architecture Group (2018-Present)
Zoé Walker Aparicio
Project Designer
Zoe is a landscape designer with 10 years of landscape maintenance and design experience throughout the Pacific Northwest and Puerto Rico. She is a designer at the Portland, OR Learning Landscapes Design office.
Zoe grew up in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico until moving to Portland at 13 years old. Growing up on an acre of self-sustaining tropical rainforest, Zoe learned how to maintain a productive landscape while enjoying free play and plenty of dips at the nearby river. Zoe moved to Portland and grew up wanting to go to school for herbalism and art until she found the perfect combination of the two while at the University of Oregon. Zoe then graduated from the Landscape Architecture program, while being heavily involved in the student chapter of ASLA, STAnDD, and HOPES among other clubs and organizations.
Zoe enjoys tinkering around in her garden, natural dyeing, hosting dinners for friends and family, and going to the river any chance she gets.
PROFESSIONAL LICENSES AND AFFILIATIONS
• Bachelor’s of Landscape Architecture
• American Society of Landscape Architects
• Sponsorship Co-Chair and Event Coordinator – STAnDD, Supporting the Advancement of Diversity in Design • Outreach Coordinator & BLA Representative
Nicole Schneider
Project Designer
Nicole Schneider is a landscape architect with 6 years of design experience working with a variety of projects both locally and abroad. She has experience in designing both large and small scale projects that range from neighborhood masterplans and streetscapes to small custom-designed playscapes and custom structures. Her experience includes orchestrating how a project comes to life from client consultation, conceptual design, design development, construction documentation, construction bidding, and assisting directing
She always loved the outdoors and, as a girl, enjoyed exploring the woods and creek behind her house which provided adventures in creative free play.
PROFESSIONAL LICENSES AND AFFILIATIONS
- Licensed Landscape Architect in the State of Wisconsin
- Master’s of Landscape Architecture from the University of British Columbia
- Bachelor’s of Science in Architecture from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
- Member of Women in Design MKE
Connie Migliazzo
Technical Review
Connie is a graduate of the University of Virginia and the Harvard Graduate School of Design. She is licensed as a landscape architect in California and Oregon. Her interest in the natural world led her to become an Oregon Master Naturalist. Her passion for plants, water conservation and materials deeply enriches our team. Connie is part of our technical review process to ensure accuracy in our construction drawings.
PROFESSIONAL LICENSES AND AFFILIATIONS
- University of Virginia
- Harvard Graduate School of Design
- Leads the Pacific Design Collective and Prato.la
Supporting Emotional Well Being Through Play
Play offers a space for kids to work with and relate to one another. They move from isolated play, to parallel play, to simple games together, to more complex games with rules. Providing places for this to unfold supports emotional and social well being.
Loose Parts Support STEM Play
Loose parts offer opportunities for kids to be in charge of their environment. They spark creativity, social interactions, and exploration play. Movable pieces of all sizes increase play value tremendously. Kids are naturally scientists. By providing an environment that is student led and full of opportunities for exploration, kids are naturally led to guess, test, rework and explore.
Exposure to Nature Through Natural Playgrounds
We must offer kids exposure to nature before they can learn to care for their environment. Nature connection offers numerous physical, emotional and health benefits. And it’s fun!
Child Directed Play & Flow State
You see flow state when you look up from your work and can’t remember how so much time has passed. It happens when you are fully engrossed in work that you care about and is meaningful to you. If we can provide settings that get kids into their flow state we can see amazing brain growth.
Inclusive Design Builds Stronger Communities
Design should consider users of all abilities. Not as an afterthought, but as a core value. Our inclusive design approach goes beyond the basics of ADA. We seek to find design solutions that offer interactive play opportunities between all children.
Developing Risk Assessment Skills Through Play
Play is a place where kids can test and expand their boundaries in a controlled environment. They can learn how to take a risk and grown their physical and mental capacities.
Inclusive Play
Playgrounds must offer spaces where all kids can engage in something of their choosing that they find interesting. Kids of all ability need to be able to find fun challenges and engage with peers. All of our projects aim for universal accessibility.
Sustainable Design
We have a sustainability filter that we use on every project. We want these play and learning space to raise kids up through education and growth. Our designs aim to make the environment better, improve resource flows (food, water, energy), use natural materials and consider life cycle impacts.
Cradle to Cradle
Our designs use natural materials in a maintainable way. A solid sub structure allows for the continued use and replacement of natural materials that have a limited life cycle. Today’s children will inherent the planet and culture that we leave for them. We don’t want them to be saddled with ‘disposal’ of their childhood playgrounds.
