Wichita Collegiate School’s new play space now open

Wichita Collegiate School opened a new play space this month aimed at inspiring youngsters’ creativity, fostering their love for nature and bridging learning from the classroom to the outdoors.

The project, designed for 2- to 6-year-olds by landscape designer Emmanuel Didier, includes four playhouses with a faux river running through the landscape, school officials said.

The new play environment features a Mother Goose garden; musical elements, such as percussion tubes, bamboo wind chimes and mushroom bongos; a living willow hut; a bird’s nest with two slides; and a village grocery store.

The landscape incorporates native grasses and other plants that will serve as a backdrop for teaching children about the life cycle of plants, animals, seasons and Earth’s ecosystem.

This story was originally published September 2, 2015 at 5:11 PM with the headline "Wichita Collegiate School’s new play space now open."