Breaking Ground
Pictured above: Logs and stumps being smoothed down and treated, soon to become climbing features and play sites
This week marks the groundbreaking of Saint Peter’s new nature playground.
This innovative project reimagines what outdoor play can look like by blending natural landscapes with adventurous and creative play.
To bring this vision to life, the playground committee partnered with Nancy Striniste, author of Nature Play at Home and founder of EarlySpace. Nancy’s work centers on designing outdoor environments that foster unstructured, enriching interactions between children and the natural world.
The playground itself will invite kids of all ages to explore and engage with the surrounding woods. Built from natural materials, the space will be safe yet stimulating, and designed to spark imagination and deepen kids’ connection with the outdoors.
Now that the vision has taken root, the first steps are underway!
This week, construction began by demo’ing the existing playground structure, excavating the sand pit, and laying the groundwork for the mosaic stream.
Pictured above: An example of a mosaic stream from one of Nancy Striniste’s previous projects
Photo credits: Instagram - earlyspacenancy
An enclosed sand play area will replace the former playground set. The new sand play area will be bordered with a sensory garden, treated logs and stumps, and boulders. Every part of the design process is informed by what nourishes young kids, and that involves incorporating natural materials that stimulate and challenge muscle coordination, balance, and a sense of adventure.
The main activities that the construction crew are focusing on are relocating the soil excavated from the sand pit uphill to begin the natural hill slide, and digging out space in the former sand pit for the mosaic stream.
Pictured: Excavated sand pit
The team is in good spirits and all activities are progressing smoothly!
The children participating in Nature Camp will be exploring the new playground.
