Learning Landscapes Design
Have a learning landscape-related question? We have the answer. Check out these FAQs and give us a call today for more information!
What is a nature-based playground or nature playscape?
A nature-based playground, often called a nature playscape or natural playground, is an outdoor play environment designed around natural materials, landscapes, and open-ended experiences rather than traditional manufactured playground equipment. These spaces use elements such as logs, boulders, sand, water, plants, gardens, trees, pathways, and loose natural materials to encourage exploration, creativity, and discovery.
Unlike traditional playgrounds where each piece of equipment has a specific purpose, nature playscapes allow children to create their own experiences. A log can become a balance challenge, a bridge, a fort, or a gathering place. A stream can become a science experiment, a sensory experience, or an opportunity for imaginative play.
Nature playscapes are designed to support children’s physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development while creating a stronger connection between children and the natural world.
How is a nature playscape different from a traditional playground?
Traditional playgrounds often focus on fixed equipment designed for specific activities. Nature playscapes, also called natural playgrounds, use the landscape itself as the play environment.
A nature-based playground typically includes:
- Natural materials instead of primarily plastic structures
- Flexible spaces that support many types of play
- Opportunities for imagination and creativity
- Connections to plants, wildlife, and seasonal changes
- Areas for exploration, discovery, and quiet reflection
Rather than telling children exactly how to play, nature playscapes encourage children to invent, experiment, collaborate, and engage with their surroundings.
How much does a nature playground cost?
The cost of a nature playground varies depending on the size of the project, site conditions, materials, design complexity, and construction approach.
A small outdoor classroom enhancement may involve a limited investment, while a complete campus transformation may require a larger capital project. Many schools successfully create meaningful outdoor learning environments by developing projects in phases.
Factors that influence cost include:
- Site preparation and grading
- Accessibility improvements
- Surfacing requirements
- Planting and ecological restoration
- Custom play features
- Pathways and gathering spaces
- Construction materials
Learning Landscapes Design helps organizations develop realistic budgets and prioritize the elements that will have the greatest impact for children.
Are nature playgrounds safe?
Yes. A well-designed nature playground can provide safe and engaging opportunities for children to explore, challenge themselves, and develop confidence.
Our designs consider:
- Age-appropriate play opportunities
- Appropriate challenge levels
- Visibility and supervision
- Accessibility
- Material selection
- We follow ASTM Playground safety guidelines
- We are Certified Playground Safety Inspectors (CPSI) and evaluate all work that is completed.
We believe safety should support exploration—not eliminate the opportunity for children to experience manageable challenges and develop important life skills.
Who are your typical clients for outdoor learning and natural playground design?
At Learning Landscapes Design, we work for a wide range of public, nonprofit, and government entities. Our clients include early childhood center operators, school directors and PTAs, park and recreation professionals, camp operators, as well as boards for museums and zoos. If you want to create an amazing natural playground design for kids that’s inclusive, nature-based, child-centered, and one-of-a-kind, you are our client type! After all, according to the CDC, children should have at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity every single day. As such, we’re here to provide playground design anywhere communities want them to be.
What is the process for designing a nature playground?
Our design process is collaborative and tailored to each organization. A typical project includes:
- Discovery and site assessment
We learn about your campus, educational goals, challenges, and opportunities. - Community engagement
We work with administrators, teachers, students, and stakeholders to understand how the space should function. - Concept design
We develop creative design ideas that integrate play, learning, nature, and site opportunities. - Design development and construction documents
We refine materials, layouts, grading, planting, accessibility, and construction details. - Construction support
We assist during implementation to help bring the vision to life.
How do you make playgrounds accessible and inclusive?
Inclusive design means creating spaces where children of all abilities can participate together.
We consider:
- Accessible pathways and circulation
- Multiple ways to engage with activities
- Equipment that helps vestibular development
- Sensory experiences
- Different levels of physical challenge
- Spaces for social interaction and quiet exploration
- Quiet Spaces
Rather than creating separate areas for children with different abilities, we strive to design environments where everyone can play and learn together.
What services do you offer?
We are a full-service nature playscapes design firm. Simply put, we take your team from the initial vision stage all the way to a fully designed natural play and learning space. Our services include:
– Community and student design workshops
– Site visit and inspection
– Concept designs for new and remodeled spaces
– 3D imagery
– Cost estimation
– Construction documents
– Permitting
– Bidding or negotiation with a local contractor
– Construction and safety reviews
– Staff training
– Maintenance and inspection guidelines for ongoing risk management
Our team does not do any playscape construction. We do, however, help you identify custom and off-the-shelf pieces as well as develop full design packages that local contractors can install. We represent you in construction to ensure you get what you paid for and that everything addresses licensing and safety requirements.
How can schools fund a new playground or outdoor learning space?
Schools often fund outdoor learning environments through a combination of resources, including:
- Capital campaigns
- Donor contributions
- PTO/PTA fundraising
- Foundation grants
- Community partnerships
- School improvement funds
- Multi-year budgeting
Learning Landscapes Design can help schools create a phased plan that supports fundraising efforts by clearly communicating the vision, goals, and impact of the project.
Where do you work?
We create inspiring nature playscapes across the United States. Occasionally, we work abroad, too! We have offices in Oregon and Wisconsin.
Do you do installations?
We do not do any construction. We help you identify custom and off-the-shelf pieces and a full design package that a local contractor will install. As one of the top playground design companies, we represent you in construction to make sure you get what you paid for and that everything meets ASTM, CPSC, and licensing safety requirements.
Why hire a landscape architect for a playground project?
A landscape architect brings expertise in site planning, ecology, accessibility, construction, safety, and educational design.
Working with a landscape architect helps:
- Create a cohesive long-term vision
- Maximize the site’s potential by being efficient with available outdoor space
- Connect play areas to school curriculum
- Coordinate complex improvements with other professionals
- Develop realistic budgets
- Can help in hiring a skilled and experience contractor
- Create spaces that support learning and play
- Think outside the box, unlike typical playground manufacturers
A playground is an important part of a school campus or park and deserves the same thoughtful planning as any other environment.
Why hire Learning Landscapes Design to design natural play and outdoor learning spaces?
As one of the top natural playground design companies worldwide, we have many reasons you should work with us!
Passion: Our firm is dedicated to learning and play spaces. We are at the forefront of research on brain development through play, we know the best equipment choices, and we understand inclusive and trauma-informed design for young people.
Safety: Our staff carry national safety certification for play areas from the National Parks and Recreation Association. Their Certified Playground Safety Inspector training is used to ensure the space you own and operate is safe for all users.
Maintenance: We know maintenance, operation, and safety inspections of new spaces can be daunting. We have an extensive Natural Playscape Maintenance and Management document that outlines intent, safety inspections, incident reports, and maintenance guidelines for you to follow. It’s our goal to set you off on the right path of informed ownership.
Joy: The spaces we create bring endless joy to the young people who engage with them. We often hear, “Mom, I love this place! Just five more minutes, please?” Your outdoor space will be easier for staff to manage when there’s deep child-led, flow-state play, and learning at hand.
