change is good: new play spaces

in between rediscovering the charms and wonders of our school's neighborhood and rearranging our classroom, we found an exciting alternative to our local playground.

(our local playground):


within easy walking distance of our school we discovered structures and sites in which the children could climb, run, hide, and engage in dramatic play as far as their imaginations could stretch.

behold, the log ramps at the IKEA river walk:

the children love to run, climb, and jump across these log covered ramps. it's great exercise, but even greater fodder for the imagination.

adjacent to the ramps is this highly intriguing structure:

a ship's engine? a cannon? a battleship? though this particular structure isn't for climbing it serves as excellent inspiration for dramatic play.

this old pier, while also not suitable for climbing, running or even walking on, is nonetheless an intriguing backdrop to any game, as is the surrounding harbor:


adding to the charm of this play space are these abandoned warehouses, water taxis, and the not-too-distant statue of liberty:


finally, just across the river walk path we have an expansive field of grass upon which the children can run, hide, tumble, wrestle, roll, jump and, well.... play!