Parent Infant Center
One of the most popular parts of the Magic Circle Nature Playground is a large, singular stump. It is a proud moment when a child can climb up by themselves and jump off. This past year we noticed some
erosion on it and wanted to keep it safe for jumping. A new circle of wood was secured to the top of the stump to prolong its use and enjoyment. We improved the area around the stump by spreading more
mulch for safety and more padding.
Every year we have to spread more mulch throughout the playground. It has several purposes: to provide a safe, fall surface, to offer a natural material for play (think soup in the mud kitchen), and as a ground cover material.
We have 10 raised garden beds that were repaired last year to make sure the children had a good gardening experience this spring and summer. We also made many plants available to our classrooms for planting, including fruits and vegetables. This year, we noticed some invasive plants encroaching on our native plants. We did lots of maintenance on the gardens throughout the playground to keep it healthy.
Ultimately, our focus this year has been to keep our playground safe and well maintained. Our primary goal is to give PIC children (and families in our wider community) an opportunity to connect with nature in a way that many growing up in an urban environment don’t have. It is a space that offers unstructured, nature play with endless opportunities for exploration and discovery.
