The United Church of Santa Fe
The United Church of Santa Fe
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Year
Design Phase: 2026
Age Group
All Ages
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Reconnecting Community Through Nature Play
Nestled in the unique landscape of Santa Fe, New Mexico, the United Church of Santa Fe has long embraced a deep connection to land, culture, and community. When the church began exploring ways to revitalize its campus, the leadership team saw an opportunity to create an outdoor space that would both honor the surrounding landscape and welcome a new generation of families.
Following the pandemic, church leaders noticed that growth in their congregation had slowed. The head pastor and church leadership began looking for meaningful ways to reconnect with younger families and create new reasons for the community to gather.
A thoughtfully designed nature play environment became a natural extension of that vision.
A Landscape Rooted in Place
Early in the design process, the church shared the importance of land stewardship. The campus already includes several gardens and outdoor gathering spaces that reflect the church’s strong commitment to respecting the natural environment.
Rather than introducing something separate from these landscapes, the goal of the design was to create a playscape that felt deeply connected to the land and existing gardens, strengthening the space for the daycare and the community.
The new play environment design is carefully tucked into a grove of mature Piñon Pines, trees that hold cultural and ecological significance in the region. Protecting the canopy and preserving the health of these trees was a central priority throughout the design process.
The result is a space that feels naturally integrated with the landscape, allowing the forest canopy and surrounding gardens to remain the dominant presence.
