Mulgrave School
The International School of Vancouver
Mulgrave School
The International School of Vancouver
West Vancouver, British Columbia
Year
2026
Age Group
All Ages
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Overview:
Mulgrave School is located in West Vancouver near the forested foothills of Cypress Mountain, beside Rodgers Creek and the surrounding natural waterways that shape the Upper Lands area. The campus sits within a protected landscape that reflects the region’s commitment to caring for the environment and developing thoughtfully alongside nature.
At Mulgrave School, the International School of Vancouver, the surrounding coastal temperate rainforest is not just a backdrop—it is part of the learning environment. The site shares ecological lineage with protected forests, placing the school within one of the region’s remarkable ecosystems.
Natural Playground and Forest Regeneration Master Plan
In early 2025, Bienenstock Natural Playgrounds engaged with the Mulgrave School community—walking the site and connecting with students, staff, and families. Through these conversations, a shared vision emerged: a landscape where children’s play exists in balance with the forest, and where learning is rooted in relationship with the natural world.
This collaboration led to the development of a Natural Playground and Forest Regeneration Master Plan – one that supports the growth of children while allowing the forest itself to heal, regenerate, and thrive over time.
Where Sensory Play and Stewardship Intersect
At the heart of the vision is a simple, powerful idea: that play and ecology are not separate, but deeply interconnected.
As the forest regenerates, it becomes a living classroom—rich with texture, sound, movement, and life. Children are invited into spaces that support their physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development, while the land itself is restored and strengthened.
Climbing structures rise from the landscape, encouraging movement, risk, and resilience. Other spaces invite quieter engagement—fine motor exploration, storytelling, creativity, and moments of reflection within a deeply sensory-rich environment.
Here, children move with the forest. They climb, discover, imagine, and belong. The result is a landscape where learning is alive—and where caring for the environment and caring for children become one.
