Sun Valley Community School Natural Playground – Sun Valley, ID
Idaho
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Project Overview
A school playground open to the public in the mountainous town of Sun Valley.
Play Design Features
- Student led design
- Supports outdoor curriculum
- Natural wood and boulder play elementsÂ
- Supports risk assessment
Project Information
Set in the mountains of central Idaho, where the outdoors are a way of life and the snow season is celebrated, this unique school, Sun Valley Community School, weaves outdoor experiences directly into its curriculum. Traditional academics are blended with activities like skiing, snowshoeing, camping, and hiking. The old playground, however, failed to reflect the school’s mission of extending learning beyond the classroom.
To reimagine the space, LLD collaborated with staff, parents, and led a series of design sessions with a group of students. These students gathered site data, surveyed their peers, analyzed site conditions, developed a program, and worked in small teams to design and present their ideas for a future playground. The finished playscape is the direct result of the students’ own concepts.
The students were most drawn to physical play that tests their limits. Likewise, staff and parents recognized the value of a playscape that teaches children to assess risk while challenging their abilities. Natural playground elements such as a tall log tower, long embankment slide, boulder scramble, log climber, overhead ladder, stepping logs, and swings offer a fun, challenging experience for children of all abilities. For quieter, creative, and imaginative play, there are fort-building platforms, reading nooks, a sandbox, an amphitheater, and sensory panels. And for those who enjoy sports, students are often found shooting hoops, playing wall ball, or kicking a ball across the open lawn.
