Mt. Hood Community College Natural Playground – The Big Picture

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The Early Childhood Program at Mt. Hood Community College (MHCC) in Gresham Oregon just opened their doors to a new state of the art child center with a natural playground. GreenWorks designed the landscape features including infant areas, a 3-5 year old play area and a large nature classroom.

Like many communities and education centers the staff and teachers at MHCC did not want to have a large colorful play structure as the center of their play area. The client worked with GreenWorks designer Michelle Mathis to design many small nodes of play areas that let the children be creative, work together in problem solving, get exercise, get closer to nature and learn (shhhhhhh don’t tell the kids they are learning during play).


This blog will feature the design, products and photos of each node on the next few months. These areas include:
– Net and rock climbers
– Sand and water play
– Mounds with climbing and sliding
– Tree fort and log climber
– Trike garage and riding track
– Music and sensory garden

– Free building zone
– Imaginative play area
– Wind, rain, and nature exploration pieces
– Planting integrated throughout the site
– Art and exploration area
– Game and free play zone
– Learning Garden
– Outdoor nature classroom
– 24- 36 month discovery zone
– 6-12 month exploration area