Pine Grove Learning Center Building, Playground and Sensory Garden
Project Details
Client
Kent Intermediate School DistrictLocation
Wyoming, MIScale
49,500 square feetCost
$8,500,000Completion
2009New special education facility for severely physically and/or cognitively impaired students and students with severe autism spectrum disorder. It contains nine classrooms for 80 students and 40 staff members. Many support amenities are included such as a gross motor room, therapy pool, and life skills, sensory room and outside garden and trails. Pine Grove is also adding another $4M expansion including a new cafeteria and additional classroom wings with completion in 2016.
Objective
Create play, social and sensory areas as well as easy access to shared spaces like gross motor, sensory, OT/PT and therapy pool for special education students within a confined budget.
Outcome
Working jointly with school therapists and staff, a playground and sensory garden were created. The playground provides play equipment for special-needs students. The sensory garden includes a unique water feature, wind chimes, specialty plants and textured pavement. Shaded play and sensory areas are provided for light/heat sensitive students. The center serves 70 severely impaired students with a variety of learning needs.
