Gallaudet University, located in Washington, D.C., is the only liberal arts university in the world designed exclusively for deaf students. Kendall Demonstration Elementary School (KDES) on Gallaudet's campus was established in 1970 as a lab school to demonstrate excellence in teaching to schools and programs for deaf and hard of hearing students. School officials, guided by Program Manager Donald Mahoney and Manager of Construction Services Daniel Kirby, decided to create an improved academic and recreational area for KDES that would be inviting, educational, safe, and barrier free. Landscape Architects at the Towson, Maryland-based firm of Human & Rohde, Inc. worked with the University and KDES staff in all phases of planning and design, including pre-design, site analysis, schematic design, master plan through construction documents. Under the direction of Project Managers Sally Malena, ASLA and Jane Stokes, this project had to be specifically designed so that it could be constructed in phases as funding became available. Staff members were very specific about their needs and the special requirements of the students. They were seeking a total play and learning environment for the 182 students in their care. The recreational components of this 2.9-acre site had to meet all the current safety guidelines, be barrier free, challenging, and developmentally appropriate for ages 20 months through 15 years. There had to be room for children to explore space, run, jump, and practice gross motor skills. In addition, there also had to be quiet areas for socializing and nature study. Many of KDES students come from the inner city and have little experience with the natural environment. The staff wanted a habitat area where students could observe and study plants and animals, and have hands-on experience so they could develop a better understanding of the world around them. Because of the broad age range at KDES, the design required distinct play areas for toddlers ages one to three, preschool (three to six), primary (six to nine), and upper school (nine to fifteen). Esther Fidler Grossman of Custom Playgrounds and Child Care Design Consultants custom-designed play structures for each age group using Little Tikes Commercial Play Systems. Contrasting colors and surface textures were incorporated into the design to clearly define use areas. A combination of rubber safety surfacing by Carlisle Rubber and a resilient engineered wood fiber surface, provided by Zeager Brothers, were selected because they meet ADA and CPSC guidelines. The grades on site were manipulated to help provide natural separation between the play areas. Mounds were provided for rolling and a large field was created for ball playing. The different use areas were connected by paths, tunnels and bridges. In addition, a variety of Victor Stanley benches and game tables were grouped in clusters to promote socialization during passive recreation. One unique aspect of this playground was the creation of a natural habitat area and "outdoor classroom," which was funded in part by the U.S. Department of Fish & Wildlife. Surrounded by a black vinyl chain link fence for security and separation reasons, this habitat area was designed to provide a place for nature study and buffer the play area from an adjacent road. A small pond and wetland were created to emphasize the importance and diversity of wetlands, and the area was planted to draw birds and butterflies to the site. "Pockets" were provided in the wall for "amphibian hibernation." This area was surfaced in brick paving, which, according to the Landscape Architects, is "more natural and organic in appearance than the standard concrete paving." An amphitheater was built into a slope to provide an additional outdoor teaching area. According to Principal in Charge John Rohde, ASLA, "This design process and client involvement led to the creation of a play environment that met the varied needs and abilities of each child in a safe and creative manner. Specifically, this project showed the importance of a Landscape Architect's ability to work with land forms, varied needs, budgets, and construction methods." He enthuses, "The most significant and challenging aspects of the project were designing for a wide variety of student abilities, and working with the superior organization that the school provided." The Kendall Demonstration Elementary School playground has been constructed mainly through donations. The habitat area was funded with a grant from the United States Fish and Wildlife. The project is 95% complete, and the remaining elements will be added as funds become available. lasn Featured here is one of three distinct play areas at Kendall Demonstration Elementary School on the campus of Gallaudet University in Washington D.C. created specifically to the needs of a wide-age range of hearing impaired students. The black vinyl chain-link fence pictured here was chosen for security and separation for the school's habitat area. The habitat area contained an area of open water, making fencing necessary.