Contact: Peter Hodne
Principal
952-848-4599
pethodne@edina.k12.mn.us

Media Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Natural play space at Edina elementary school brings
learning and fun outside

Edina, Minn., Oct. 29, 2009 – At any point during the school day at Highlands Elementary, students can be found digging through clay, jumping from wood stumps, playing on dirt mogul hills, sitting around a paver pit or exploring a river bed in a new outdoor learning and natural play space. Situated next to the school playground, this growing project is showing students how to play and learn in the outdoors.

The creation of the outdoor learning and natural play space has been led by Highlands teachers Erica Wattson and Katie Oberle, who have found that children who regularly engage in outdoor activities experience clear emotional, physical and intellectual benefits. Last year they formed a contingent of teachers, parents and professionals dubbed the “Outdoor Learning and Play Group,” whose mission is to transform Highlands school grounds to provide a healthy, inspiring, authentic environment where children can experience nature as a basic part of their education and development.

“Research is showing that we have a generation that’s disconnected from nature,” said Oberle, a kindergarten teacher at Highlands and a former teacher naturalist at Dodge Nature Center who has been with Edina Public Schools for 23 years. “There’s something to say about what’s being lost with kids not being outside.”

The group proposed the creation of an outdoor learning and natural play space to the school’s PTA in February 2009, and the $50,000 project was approved. With the help of donations, a professional landscape architect and many volunteers, the new space filled with new trees, rocks and natural soil now occupies a large area behind the building and wraps completely around one side.

The development of the natural play space is not meant to replace the standard school playground, although the natural play space costs half as much as a typical playground and is most likely more sustainable. The natural environment is another option and allows for more creative, open-ended play and learning that lets students reconnect with natural systems and appreciate nature.

“It’s bigger than kids just playing out here,” Oberle said. “It’s so creative. It’s allowing them to be kids.”

About Edina Public Schools:
Edina Public Schools is comprised of six elementary schools (K-5), two middle schools (6-9) and one senior high (10-12). Total enrollment is approximately 7,800 students. The District serves a large portion of Edina, a first-tier Minneapolis suburb comprised of approximately 47,450 people.

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