Square One Early Education Center Playscape
Since 1883, Square One has been a cornerstone of early childhood education and family support in Greater Springfield, serving tens of thousands of children and families with a steadfast commitment to brighter futures and stronger communities.
Designed by Ashley McGraw Architects, the new 24,827 SF facility brings together early learning, family support, and community empowerment under one roof. Its 5,118 SF outdoor play space is a sensory-rich environment that encourages curiosity, discovery, and connection to nature.
Nature-inspired play experiences, sensory-rich environments, and seamless indoor-outdoor connections encourage children to explore, imagine, and learn throughout every season.Client
Square One
Location
Springfield, Massachusetts
Services
Landscape Architecture and Planting Design
Size
5,118 sq ft
Encouraging Play and ExplorationDirect access from classrooms and a covered canopy along the building allow for year-round outdoor learning. Spaces throughout the playground offer a range of materials and textures for children to explore, including a sand play area with a mud kitchen and natural wood stepping stumps, a water play zone for sensory exploration, and a swinging rope hammock for vestibular movement.
A play hill features embankment slides, climbing logs, and a playhouse at the top for dramatic play, while a poured rubber trike path winds over an arched bridge and around the play area. A cozy “Nook” with seating cushions and surrounding plantings provides space for small-group activities, and a chalkboard and magnet wall along the perimeter fence create opportunities for expression and experimentation.
Connecting Children with NatureNative and indigenous plantings that attract birds and butterflies surround the play space, providing a rich, natural environment. The plant palette offers seasonal interest through fall color, spring flowers, interesting bark patterns, and plants that invite children to engage through touch and smell, from fuzzy leaves to aromatic lilac flowers.
Shrubs provide natural loose parts for play, including pinecones and dried pine needles, further integrating nature into children’s everyday experiences. The result is a playground that nurtures healthy development while celebrating the natural world and the joy of play, reflecting Square One’s mission to support every child’s potential from the ground up.
