Open Space
Friends of Mifflin School
Mifflin School’s campus has two personalities: a lush, steeply-sloped arboretum and a paved, walled-in schoolyard. The Collaborative’s conceptual design activates the schoolyard with a play structure, a water garden fed by the gym roof, and a nature play area that serves as the trailhead to the arboretum. A new schoolyard entrance with accessible ramps and planted terraces, and a “nature gate” into the arboretum welcome the entire community.
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A new schoolyard entrance with ramps and planted terraces
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Understanding the topography was an important first step
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The plan mixes nature and play and creates new connections
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The rain garden collects rain from the gym roof
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Basketball players and spectators can enjoy a green space fed by rainwater
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The “Stick Gym” serves as a trail head into the arboretum
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The “nature gate” would give the arboretum an entrance from Midvale Avenue
