Design
During the 2022-23 school year, the Wickliffe PTO worked with Principal Angela Evans to explore playground design options and firms, to convene a Parent Core Team for the project and to engage a Teacher and Staff Playground Team (jointly referred to as “The Wickliffe Woods Core Team”). Learning Landscapes Designs was selected as our design partner given their focus on unique playgrounds that integrate nature and STEM and which focus on universal accessibility. Learning Landscapes places emphasis on involving students centrally in the design process—a core value of progressive education and Wickliffe.
In Spring 2023, Learning Landscapes spent 3 days at Wickliffe, meeting with students, observing play during recess, exploring current spaces, engaging with the Wickliffe Woods Core Team, meeting with teachers and staff, as well as hosting community sessions and meetings focused on accessibility. From these meetings, a conceptual design emerged that integrated feedback from students, school staff, parents, and the wider UA community.
The Wickliffe Woods Core Team is currently engaged with playground manufacturers to solidify playground equipment options within our budget. Once we have multiple cost estimates and construction plans in place, a second design day will take place. Wickliffe students will provide feedback on the plan options and will vote on their favorites. Design day feedback will be extended to the larger community with a web survey being used to share design options and to solicit feedback and voting.