Play yard rendering by CLWS parent, Matt Sletten
Our play yard is more than just a space; it is the heart of our school.
This summer City of Lakes Waldorf School will make a major renovation to the school play yard on our Whittier Campus. The vision for an expanded green space and redesigned play areas has been many years in the making. The new play space is carefully designed to best serve our growing school and provide distinct areas for outdoor activity and education.
This project includes several major features, including;
- Creating an expanded early childhood play area that connects the early childhood side yard (south of the building) directly to the larger play yard (west of the building).
- The addition of a grass bermed amphitheater on the west end of the play field.
- The addition of a bell tower that functions as the play yard entrance from the parking lot.
- The addition of a Flow Form water feature.
- The transformation of the old black top into a hardscape play court including basketball hoops and a sand pit for long jump.
- A raised boardwalk through the rain garden.
- And so much more.
Upcoming Events and Opportunities
Join us in early June for two incredible opportunities to come together as a community as we prepare to break ground for the play yard renovations. More information will be shared soon; in the meantime, please save the date!
Proposed Flow Form feature in the CLWS Rain Garden. Watercolor rendering by Matt Sletten.
Water Talks: A Lecture with Betsy Damon
Wednesday, June 1, 7:00 PM | Minneapolis First Seventh-Day Adventist Church
World renowned artist, consultant, activist, lecturer, mentor and designer, Betsy Damon will visit City of Lakes Waldorf School on June 1-3. During her time with us she will offer a public lecture on June 1, work with CLWS students and staff, and advise on the placement of a Water Flow Form to be installed as a part of the Play Yard renovation project. Damon’s recent book, Water Talks, Empowering Communities to Know, Store and Preserve their Waters was recently published by Steiner Books. Betsy will share her passion for the vast expanse of interconnected living systems and for creating community-based models of water stewardship. Click here for more info.
Groundbreaking Community Celebration!
Friday, June 3, 5:00 – 7:00 pm| CLWS Play Yard
We plan to “break ground” at a community gathering on June 3, with food, music, and fun for the whole family. This event will be hosted by the CLWS Parent Association and the Building & Grounds Committee. More information will be shared soon!
Contribute to the Project
Thanks to the incredible outpouring of support for the play yard at our fundraiser on May 7, we are already halfway to our fund-a-need goal of $80,000. Will you help us reach our goal?
Questions about our play yard renovation may be directed to Ed Nelsen, Development Director, at ednelsen@clws.org.