The Naturescape has been carefully designed to ensure that there are many opportunities for the children to explore and create. Gross motor skills will be strengthened using natural elements such as the double tree mash with rope climbers, boulders, horizontal log and stump borders and varying topography. Gardening, music, sensory bins and varying textures are all incorporated to develop fine motor skills that are valuable to child development. This space will encourage children to touch, feel, and collect creating sensory experiences they won't forget.
Images courtesy of Bienenstock Design & Consulting.
The staff at St. Monica believes passionately that learning should be an adventure. They use the Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education, which encourages young children and their teachers to explore, question, and discover in a stimulating environment. Birds nesting in the trees, ladybugs in the plants, and leaves overhead allow for endless teaching opportunities in this outdoor classroom.
The play space will be full of plants that are native to the area. All trees, shrubs and fallen logs are designed to bring nature in and provide children a natural space to play and learn. In these types of playgrounds children gain respect for their environment and understand their place in it.
Natural environments have advantages over purpose built playground because they stimulate more diverse and creative play. Children are encouraged to explore and create without limitations placed upon them by the designer.
This space has been designed to accommodate wheelchairs and walkers and for every child regardless of physical, cognitive or mental ability.
The St. Monica Naturescape Project depends on the generosity of friend and family like you. Your donation benefits all students at St. Monica, the St. Monica YMCA Child Care Centre as well as the community at large.
From $25
Online donations will receive tax receipt issued by ECSD.
Invitation to attend the Naturescape Grand Opening.
From $250
Online donations will receive tax receipt issued by ECSD.
Invitation to attend the Naturescape Grand Opening.
Recognition on commemorative playground feature.
From $1000
Online donations will receive tax receipt issued by ECSD.
Invitation to attend the Naturescape Grand Opening.
Recognition on commemorative playground feature.
Recognition signage at the Naturescape Grand Opening.
The St. Monica Naturescape Project depends on the generosity of corporate and community partners like you. Please consider investing in the redevelopment of this space which will benefit all students at St. Monica, the St. Monica YMCA Child Care Centre as well as the community at large.
From $2000
Recognition on commemorative playground feature with clear acknowledgement of sponsorship.
Invitation to and written recognition at the Grand Opening.
Acknowledgement on the Naturescape website and link to company website.
From $5000
Recognition on commemorative playground feature with clear acknowledgement of sponsorship.
Invitation to and written recognition at the Grand Opening.
Acknowledgement with small logo on the Naturescape website and link to company website.
From $10,000
Recognition on commemorative playground feature with clear acknowledgement of sponsorship.
Invitation to and verbal recognition at the Grand Opening.
Acknowledgement with medium logo on the Naturescape website and link to company website.
Opportunity to have corporate signage and promotional information table at Grand Opening.
From $20,000
Premium Recognition on commemorative playground feature with clear acknowledgement of sponsorship.
Invitation to and verbal recognition at the Grand Opening.
Acknowledgement with large logo on the Naturescape website and link to company website.
Opportunity to have corporate signage and promotional information table at Grand Opening.
Participation in the ribbon cutting ceramony at the Grand Opening.
Please follow along as we embark on this journey to create the St. Monica Naturescape!
We are thrilled to announce that we have been awarded a $40,000 grant from the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation! TD FEF supports a wide range of environmental initiatives with the primary focus on environmental education and green space programs, which fits very nicely with our Naturescape plans.
We are excited to announce that Phase 1 of the Naturescape project will be completed this spring!
We want to send out a huge congratulations to our designer, Jeff Lindstrom, and his team on their recent win of the Landscape Ontario Award for Design for their submission of the St. Monica Naturescape concept plan!
