East Providence, Rhode Island
Brown, Richardson & Rowe assisted The Gordon School to implement the first phase of their master plan, which involves an ambitious building and site improvements program. The Early Childhood Center serves approximately 80 children in nursery, preschool and kindergarten classes. Brown, Richardson & Rowe designed two playgrounds: a new early childhood play space divided into two areas, one for nursery and preschool classrooms, the other for kindergarten children, near the Early Childhood Center; and an older children’s playground with a spectacular view of the water.
Brown, Richardson & Rowe has worked with the School and parents to preserve the natural woodland and to develop age-appropriate, physically challenging, creative, fun, and innovative playground elements and spaces. Evaluation of existing play equipment for reuse, drainage improvements, hard surface pathway connections from exterior doors to the front turnaround (required by the Fire Department), and screening or softening of the new field house wall are all elements which were addressed in the design process. A strongly-defined pedestrian path leads from the parking lot to the field house. An Adirondack-style arbor connects one play area to an expanse of lawn and to woods with groundcover, bulbs and perennials, and seating areas. We also relocated existing boulders to create a bigger sledding hill and more room for equipment in the nursery/preschool play area.
