Albuquerque Public Schools Prototype Project

Albuquerque Public Schools and Sites collaborated on several concept landscapes for new school designs. Integrating play, fitness, education, and environment into the landscape was one of the schools' objectives. The playground design combined four fundamental learning objectives (such as imagination and interaction) with five fundamental play activity kinds (like climbing, balancing, or spinning). Some of the playgrounds also had features including a fitness course, rock climbers, and a "music garden" with percussion instruments. A custom-designed ocotillo shade structure, an archaeological excavation area, a wildlife habitat, and an outdoor classroom are all part of the Tierra Antigua Elementary School project. Interpretive gardens that highlight Native American plants used for food, fiber, and medicine surround the classroom. "Ancient Mesa" is the theme for the "learning landscape" of Tony Hillerman Middle School. The site's existing boulders were reused to create waffle gardens and retaining walls. A ponding area with plants chosen to support butterflies and birds was designed as a wildlife habitat. There were also bat roosts and bird feeders.