LS Nature Playground Ceremony

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The winter afternoon of January 20^th was filled with bright and sunny faces of excitement, as New Horizon School cut the ribbon to officially open their new nature playground.  New Horizon School was excited to have some of the founding members of their school’s community present as well as parents and other special guests for this event.  After a year of sharing ideas with students, teachers, and administration the playground became a reality.

The playground transformation was made possible due to the generosity of parents, staff, Board of Trustees as well as a foundation grant.  Gone is the asphalt and concrete that had been the play area for many years.  In its place are uneven stepping stumps, a redwood cookie floor, a twisted tree trunk balance beam, classroom garden boxes, a dry creek bed, a bench surrounding their  100 year old magnolia tree, garden beds filled with native California plants to attract humming birds, bees and butterflies, bird houses for the local Pasadena bird population, and a natural shelter that serves as a playhouse for the children.

One very special aspect of the nature playground is an orange tree that was donated by Weizmann Day School as a symbol of the two schools continuous and growing friendship.    

New Horizon School believes that their new playground will allow students to discover and explore the wonders of the natural world as well as using their boundless imaginations.  Future plans include some additional elements that will continue to enhance the playground including a California flora and fauna mural as well as a raised stage for outdoor classroom use to further incorporate the natural world into our student’s educational experience.   As one fourth grade student stated, “This playground is the best ever!”