Sierra Expeditionary Learning School Natural Playground

Truckee, California | Expeditionary Learning and Nature-Based Playground Design

The Vision: A Playground That Reflects the Curriculum

Located in the mountain community of Truckee, California, Sierra Expeditionary Learning School emphasizes experiential education, outdoor adventures, and student-led, project-based learning. However, its existing traditional playground offered limited opportunities for the exploration, physical challenges, and hands-on learning that were central to the school’s educational philosophy.

The school partnered with Learning Landscapes Design to create a more natural playground and adventurous outdoor environment that would support its curriculum while providing a wider variety of spaces for students throughout the school day.

Collaborative Planning With School Leadership

Learning Landscapes Design facilitated a programming and design workshop with school staff and leadership to identify how the outdoor spaces could better support daily school activities.

This collaborative process helped establish priorities for a playground that would be more than a place for recess. By incorporating outdoor learning and nature-based play into the planning process, the team envisioned an extension of the school’s educational program.

Designing Around a Challenging Mountain Site

One of the project’s greatest challenges was its long, narrow configuration. Rather than one large open playground, the available spaces were distributed between existing school buildings, creating a complex network of areas that needed to function together.

Limited existing site information added complexity, while the mountain environment required careful consideration of terrain, snow, and drainage. Learning Landscapes Design also worked to preserve existing trees and establish clear sight lines for student supervision.

The design transformed these constraints into opportunities, organizing the schoolyard into a series of connected play and learning zones that make efficient use of the available space.

Natural Play and Outdoor Learning Features

The resulting playground incorporates a variety of experiences that support the school’s expeditionary learning approach:

• Play Mountain: Opportunities for climbing, exploration, physical challenge, and creative play.
• Parkour Course: Movement-based challenges that encourage balance, coordination, and problem-solving.
• Play Creek: Hands-on opportunities for sensory exploration and interaction with water.
• Outdoor Classroom: A flexible setting for lessons, student projects, and experiential learning.
• Amphitheater: A gathering space for group instruction, presentations, and school activities.
• Ball Game Area: Dedicated space for active games, physical education, and social play.

Together, these elements create a natural playground that supports a wide range of learning styles, physical abilities, and student interests.

A Schoolyard Built Around the Way Students Learn

The design brings Sierra Expeditionary Learning School’s educational philosophy into the outdoor environment. Students have opportunities to test their abilities, explore natural materials, collaborate with peers, and engage in hands-on activities throughout the school day.

By combining thoughtful educational programming with creative solutions to complex site conditions, Learning Landscapes Design helped create a cohesive outdoor environment that supports both adventurous play and the school’s broader learning goals.

Project Details

Client: Sierra Expeditionary Learning School

Location: Truckee, California

Project Type: Natural Playground and Outdoor Learning Environment

Learning Landscapes Design Services:

• School staff and leadership design workshop
• Educational programming and space planning
• Natural playground concept design
• Construction Documents, specifications, custom playground detailing
• Support during construction
• Integration of drainage, terrain, tree preservation, and supervision considerations

Project Completed: Fall 2017

Project Team:

• Sierra Expeditionary Learning School
• Tahoe Truckee Unified School District
• Learning Landscapes Design
• Peterson Structural Engineers
• Grateful Gardens

• Brendan Riley