Schools, Children's Spaces and Nature Based Play

Play spaces can be more than equipment and tan bark - vibrant, plant filled and dynamic play spaces which encourage children's creative and physical play are now common, and in part inspired by Andrew Laidlaw’s pioneering work on the Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden in the early 2000s.   Their role in engaging children with plants and the natural environment have made them common in regional botanic gardens - coupled with their ability to sit sensitively in heritage landscapes.  Beyond botanic gardens though, nature-based play spaces are inclusive, calming and inspiring places for children to be in and are especially supportive for children with special needs. 

Our work with Andrew and career-long love of natural play spaces has allowed us to create many children's gardens and unconventional play spaces.  It has given us the opportunity to see how the right space can transform a town, or a school, providing a rich, inviting setting which inspires children’s physical, social, and creative play, and create inclusive spaces which inspire a lifelong love of the outdoors.  

Nature Based Play Spaces
Schools and Education
andrea proctor landscapes
 horticulture | landscape architecture | heritage   
www.andreaproctor.com.au        [email protected]      +61 411 037 886
we are grateful to laidlaw & laidlaw design for allowing us to share projects we completed together