Near North Montessori School Children’s Garden Site Design Group, Ltd. Chicago, Illinois Near North Montessori School PROJECT TEAM Clauss Brothers, Inc., GFGR, Inc., Sawhorse Gang, Terra Engineering, Inc. PARTIES INVOLVED IN PRIOR MASTER PLAN Rusty Keeler of Natural Playgrounds LOCATION
Merit Award
CLIENT
Safe Space Offers Freedom to Play, Explore, and Learn Located on one of the busiest urban streets of Chicago, the Near North Montessori School is a privately funded PreK-8 institution. Serving over 500 students, the school embarked on a plan to build a Children’s Garden adjacent to its new gymnasium. The new garden was required to meet all Montessori Method philosophies, and to follow a constructivist model where children learn from discovery rather than prescribed play. Previously occupied by typical playground structures, the school opted to develop a natural play garden with more discovery opportunities. The children’s garden includes “Misty Mountain”– a 5-foot hill with fruiting trees, perfect for rolling down; 34
and a “Peace Pole” quiet area with boulder seating and shrubs. Other amenities include a willow hut, willow tunnel, sand pit, “Pizza Garden” with edible plantings, and a stage area with log seating. An accessible “Tree House” with a climber made of artificial rock resembling an abstract butterfly, was inspired by student designs of a butterfly made of clouds. Based on a previously prepared program and conceptual plan, the landscape architect was hired to interpret the plan and program; develop a formal design and budget; and produce documents for construction. The design was rigorously vetted for accessibility and compliance with current ASTM guidelines so that it was not only safe, but children with disabilities would have access to the major garden components.
The final design responds to numerous unique challenges, including occupancy needs of the garden; durability of custom play elements; and a lack of space for the desired program. Plants were selected for their hardiness and aesthetic attributes throughout the school year. The plant palette includes edible plants such as Serviceberry; showy winter interest plants such as the espaliered Witch Hazel and Holly, and plants with interesting characteristics such as Allium bulbs and Purple Love Grass. Through the collaboration of the design team, Near North Montessori School students now have an engaging, safe, and imaginative space to play, explore, discover, and, most importantly, learn.