Experiential School Playground for a Tribal School in the United States

We created an experiential school playground in the United States for Menominee Tribal School in Neopit, Wisconsin,in collaboration with our distributor, N.E.W Playscapes.

The playground was designed for a grade 1-8 school environment and includes climbing structures, slides, a rope bridge, and outdoor musical play elements.

The result is an active, varied, movement-rich play space that brings together physical challenge, social play, and visual elements connected to the local identity of the school.

Age Range

0-99

Users

121

Field

Playgrounds

Experiential School Playground for a Tribal School in the United States

About the Project and the Process

This project focused on the development of an experiential playground for a tribal school in the United States, within an educational setting serving students in grades 1-8.

As part of the planning process, we combined a large central play structure, varied climbing routes, an elevated rope bridge, open and enclosed slides, and outdoor musical instruments.

Throughout the planning and execution, we focused on creating a play environment that allows children to choose between different types of activity: climbing, sliding, balance, group movement, imaginative play, and musical exploration.

Alongside the play equipment, we integrated graphic elements and designed panels that give the playground a local character and connect it to the school environment and the Menominee community.

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Highlights/Uniqueness of the Project

The playground brings several types of play into one continuous environment rather than separating them into isolated zones.

The central structure serves as the main anchor of the space, while the rope bridge, climbing pyramid, climbing walls, slides, and music area create a layered play experience.

A key part of the project is the combination of physical play with a visual language that reflects the school’s identity.

The graphic panels, local symbols, and warm color palette help turn the playground into a site-specific environment created for Menominee Tribal School, rather than a standard school playground.

Client Requirements

The project included several play areas within one playground space:

• A tall central play structure

• A rope bridge connecting different parts of the structure

• Multiple slides

• A climbing pyramid with nets and climbing walls

• Musical play elements with a notes sign

• Adaptation to a school environment

• Integration of a local visual language connected to the school and community

Design Phase

The design phase focused on connecting several different play systems into one clear and continuous playground. We planned the central structure as a tall and visible anchor point, with a tower, rope bridge, slides, and graphic elements.

Around it, we incorporated climbing areas and musical play elements, so the playground functions as a complete play environment rather than as a single standalone structure.

Design Concept

The design combines a natural and educational visual language, using shades of beige, brown, orange, and green. The central tower receives a story-like character through its pitched roof, illustrated windows, and local symbols.

The high rope bridge, climbing nets, and pyramid structure create a sense of challenge, while the musical play elements add a calmer, social, and experiential layer.

We built the playground as an environment that invites children to move through different heights, transition between stations, climb, play music, and play together.

The connection between physical play equipment and cultural visual elements makes this project a unique space for the school, not just a standard playground.