NOTRE DAME
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN
Their buildings updated, the school turned its attention to developing outdoor spaces that increase play and outdoor education opportunities.
A design-build plan that re-envisioned an asphalt parking lot and courtyard. This urban campus now features two age-specific playscapes which include adventurous gross motor play opportunities, as well as spaces that encourage open-ended play and social interaction.
For the lower school students, climbing structures and trike paths were in high demand. The transformation featured the asphalt parking lot becoming a turf soccer field, parkour-inspired rope and log climber and a large PIP surfaced running track with a bridge and tunnel tree-house climber. A painted-concrete gathering area surrounding a great white oak anchors the active space.
In initial design charrettes with stakeholders, it was clear that soccer, running opportunities, upper body challenges, ADA accessibility and quiet gathering spaces were desired for the older elementary and middle school children.
For the younger children, the narrow courtyard area between the school and neighboring church is now home to a log and boulder obstacle course, double bed embankment slide, and a tree house with multiple climbing access points. A newly poured concrete slab finishes the space with a Formula 1 inspired trike track and adjacent trike garage.
