The Durango Early Learning Center is demoing its decades-old playground to build a new and eclectic all natural play structure.
The new set up, which will be built with all natural materials by Bienenstock Natural Playgrounds Inc., will trade conventional equipment for slacklines; a bike path; climbing logs; a sandbox for sand, water and mud play; and native, drought-resistant plants, among other features.
The play area will be designed specifically for children 18 months to 5 years old, said Durango Early Learning Center Director Emily Adams, and will replace the former 1980s playground, which was designed for elementary school-aged children.
The Durango Early Learning Center began operations as an elementary school in 1978, then became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 1982. The building began operating as an early childhood education center in 2003.
The effort to revamp the play area began around two years ago as a passion project, Adams said.
The playground will emphasize sensory play, environmental awareness, cognitive development and proprioceptive play – or body awareness in space, Adams said.
“The way kids were intended to grow up – outdoors and in natural spaces – will be able to take place, and without any effort,” she said.
The mix of ages that will use the playground will allow children to learn from one another, Adams said.
“Kids at 18 months of age will start learning from the older kids, watching them model how to use sand and water, and build sand castles, and things of that nature,” she said.
Students will be encouraged to help care for the native plants on-site and use seasonal cleanup in fall and spring as a learning activity as part of their outdoor play and learning time, Adams said.
To donate
To donate to the Durango Early Learning Center to support the new playground initiative, visit www.durangoearlylearning.com/donate/
Donations to the DELC are tax-deductible, and residents are eligible for a 50% state tax credit through the Colorado Child Care Contribution Tax Credit.
The center hopes to break ground on the project July 1, said Chris Hughes, a former DELC teacher and board member and a current member of the committee behind the playground revamp effort.
Adams said construction is expected to take between six and eight weeks.
The center plans to take the children to a nearby park for outdoor recreation during construction, Adams said.
Hughes said the new, open-ended play area can remind parents about the power of play and the value of young children having spaces to use their imaginations.
“Learning to play and playing to learn (at these) ages is very important for success in life and relationships,” he said. “... These ages (will be able) to have free play, but structured free play … (They’ll) be able to build things and tear things down. Nothing is permanent – you’re able to create things, you’re able to knock it down, create more things.”
The project had achieved over 85% of its total $303,678 fundraising goal as of mid May, Adams said.
“It’s so exciting to see what this community is capable of,” she said. “I’ve gotten emotional, seeing some of these donations come in.”
Hughes said the playground project is a silver lining for the community amid an onslaught of struggles for local schools.
“We have a lot of news that sometimes isn’t always that positive, with budget cuts in education, and other things that are happening, so I think (this will) be a nice time to celebrate,” he said.
epond@durangoherald.com
