Maple Grove Charter School
Maple Grove Charter School
Athens, Wisconsin
Year
2025
Age Group
All Ages
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Overview:
When a grant opportunity emerged to professionally design and install a full-scale, nature-based playground, Maple Grove Charter School didn’t hesitate. Working with Bienenstock was a chance to expand their vision, going from smaller nature-based features like mud kitchens and hand-crafted nature play features to a fully-integrated, purposeful play environment that reflects and reinforces their values.
As a charter school whose mission is rooted in agriscience and environmental education, Maple Grove sought Bienenstock to create a space that brought “nature-based play to life in a bigger, more meaningful way” for their learners.
Design highlights include:
- Log Frame To-Fro Basket Swing to encourage collaboration, sharing,
and turn-taking - Triple Log Mash Play System to promote balance and coordination,
proprioceptive input, and increasing motor planning skills, while also
providing children with a social activity. - Stumpville Houses that engage children through imaginary play
- A Hill Slide for motor planning and vestibular opportunities, allowing young children to increase their core strength when going down the slide. The double slide also fosters social interaction between children.
- Raised Chalkboard for outdoor learning opportunities.
From Dream To Reality
Our learners are incredibly innovative, and we wanted our playground to reflect and support that same spirit of creativity and connection to nature. Rather than a traditional structure, we envisioned a space that would fuel curiosity, support hands-on exploration, and align with our school’s outdoor philosophy. A naturescape playground felt like the natural next step—one that would allow us to extend our values into every recess and outdoor moment.”
Robin Hanson, Teaching Principal at Maple Grove
