Thanks to a grant from the Ed Meadows Conservation Fund of the Maine Community Foundation, the Cape Elizabeth Land Trust will be contributing educational signs to the new, nature-based playground at Pond Cove Elementary School. These panels will highlight playground features and their connections to the natural landscape, encouraging classroom groups, individual students, and community users to explore the ecological connections hidden in the playground environment. They are expected to be installed by the end of summer.
The Natureland outdoor classroom was developed in 2008 and 2009 by the CELT Education Committee, after teachers expressed a need to better engage their students in science, natural history and experiential learning. Last year, the Pond Cove Playground Committee (PCPC) completed a major renovation named “Operation Rebuild: Learn, Play, Grow Outside!” The Cape Elizabeth Education Foundation, CELT, and many other individuals and organizations donated to this town-wide campaign.
Says PCPC member Lindsay Barrett:
“The Pond Cove Playground Committee is honored to partner with CELT and the school system to continue to facilitate innovative educational opportunities in the new playground space. We’re excited about the potential for interpretive signage to boost playground users’ engagement with the natural features of the space—both during and outside of school hours.”
The updated playground design includes more garden beds, a bird and butterfly learning garden and opportunities for students to compost, observe wildlife and collect weather data. Last year, construction was completed on a new, nature-based playscape that integrates traditional play equipment with the natural features of the space. Making use of materials such as plants, boulders, logs, and sand, the new design encourages creativity and imaginative play, and helps students learn to enjoy and appreciate elements of nature.
Tara Bucci, a fourth-grade teacher and member of the planning committee, is looking forward to seeing students reading the interactive signs on the playground:
“Students will be connecting with the natural landscape while learning about specifically targeted concepts in Ecology,” she says. “Reading and experiential learning is not the ‘typical’ recess activity and I feel this will be a great opportunity for more students to be included during a sometimes more social part of the day. I’m interested in working closely with CELT Education Coordinator Philip Mathieu around our Fourth Grade Curriculum Maine Studies focus.”
Funds for this project are being provided by the Ed Meadows Conservation Fund of the Maine Community Foundation in honor of his parents who instilled their love of nature and community service in him. Mr. Meadows was Maine Department of Conservation Commissioner 1988-1995 and Director of the Bureau of Public Lands 1987-1988. For over 40 years he played a key role in conservation of millions of acres in Maine, Michigan and other states, working in partnerships with land trusts and public agencies. CELT greatly appreciates the support received from this Fund, which previously helped to finance the interpretive panels installed in Robinson Woods Preserve.
