Epiphany Center Natural Play Area
The Epiphany Center Natural Play Area transforms a traditional childcare outdoor space into an immersive, nature-based environment designed to inspire exploration, creativity, and learning. Through natural materials, native plantings, and interactive landscape features, the design connects children with the outdoors Epiphany while supporting active play and environmental discovery.
Client
The Epiphany Center
Location
San Francisco, CA
Services
Landscape Architecture
Connecting Children to Nature Through Play and Exploration The Epiphany Center Natural Play Area reimagines the outdoor environment of a renovated childcare center in San Francisco, creating an immersive, nature-based landscape that encourages exploration, creativity, and hands-on learning. Designed by Ashley McGraw Architects in partnership with Dorman Associates and the Low Income Investment Fund, the project transforms the center's entry and outdoor play areas into welcoming, accessible spaces that connect children with the natural environment.
A Welcoming, Nature-Inspired EntryThe redesigned front entry establishes a welcoming first impression while introducing opportunities for environmental education. Native pollinator plantings and an educational garden create an engaging landscape where children can observe plants, interact with nature, and develop an early appreciation for the environment. The adjacent natural play area extends these experiences through a thoughtfully designed landscape that uses natural and educational materials in place of traditional playground equipment.
A Landscape for PlayWood elements, cork safety surfacing, native plantings, and a no-mow lawn create a cohesive outdoor environment that prioritizes natural textures, sensory experiences, and imaginative play. Existing trees were preserved to maintain established landscape features and provide shade, while invasive species were removed to support a healthier site ecology. Working with the site's existing topography, the design incorporates an interactive play slope that encourages children to move through the landscape in different ways. Tree stumps, logs, and slides provide opportunities to climb, balance, navigate changing elevations, and explore the relationship between play and the natural environment.
Creating Accessible Space for Learning and Play By integrating accessible site design, ecological improvements, and nature-based play opportunities, the project creates an outdoor setting that supports physical development, curiosity, and early childhood learning. Ashley McGraw Architects provided design services from conceptual design through construction documentation, with the project completed in August 2025.
