The Wheeler School by Jay Emperor, RLA, Project Manager, Pressley Associates, Landscape Architects, Cambridge, Mass.
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The Wheeler School, founded in 1889, is an independent co-educational day school in Providence, Rhode Island. The school accommodates about 800 students (nursery age through 12th grade), and is known for its extraordinary academic curriculum. (Editor?EUR??,,????'?????<
 The new center campus landscape construction was carefully coordinated between the Wheeler School, Pressley Associates Landscape Architects and Shawmut Construction. Ambitious in design and scheduling (two years for construction), the center campus comprises gathering space for upper school students; table seating/outdoor dining adjacent to the student union; open space for recreation and games; state-of-the-art play equipment; wood play structures; and a synthetic turf field for ball playing.
Back in 2005, the new leadership for Wheeler School had a vision for a more inviting, attractive and accessible campus. The campus had mismatched paving and site furnishings, obsolete play equipment, and a lack of continuity in signage, lighting and campus unifying elements. As with many institutions, new construction, building additions and site repairs impact outdoor spaces, but seldom is there an opportunity to take a comprehensive look at all of the exterior spaces on a campus. The Wheeler School seized that opportunity. New buildings and spatial programming needs were anticipated, and fundraising efforts increased. In response to a comprehensive campus master plan, the Wheeler School initiated landscape improvements that transformed the campus. The new project addressed the outdoor environment and created a more inviting and attractive low-maintenance campus.
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Comprised of several projects, ranging from new construction to site restoration, the highlight for this community school is the newly constructed Center Campus landscape. Construction planning was carefully coordinated between Wheeler, Pressley Associates Landscape Architects and Shawmut Construction. The complexity of reorganizing the campus core required two years of construction, while maintaining an active, safe educational environment. Ambitious in design and scheduling, the Center Campus comprises several distinct areas: gathering space for upper school students, table seating/outdoor dining adjacent to the student union; open space for recreation and games; state-of-the-art play equipment; wood play structures; and a synthetic turf field for ball playing.
 The central campus recreational area incorporates a large synthetic lawn (Field Turf Tarkett) with two adjacent playground areas. The larger playground offers state-of-the-art Goric equipment (Berliner line), including such elements as four triangular system nets, curved poly super slide, plastic panels, flexible ?EUR??,,????'?????<
Very popular with the students is the synthetic lawn play surfacing, used for two areas of the campus. Clean, level and mud free, the surfacing allows extension of the recreational season for additional months of outdoor play, while reducing maintenance and replacement costs associated with high-use grass recreational fields. Adding to the character of the campus are several mature trees that were integrated into the new design. A sloped area below a large maple was planted as a wonderful learning space for science classes. A majestic oak brings shade to a student gathering space.
 A colorful basketball court on the lower east side of the campus has four glass backboards (Bison) The court abuts another synthetic lawn play area. Black metal fencing unifies the campus and provides security for the play area.
With 800 students walking the grounds, it made sense to specify sturdy, low maintenance plants. (Editor?EUR??,,????'?????< Another noteworthy feature of the comprehensive design was a completely accessible campus, achieved through the installation of additional ramps and properly graded walkways and paved surfaces.
 The statue by the basketball court is in remembrance of Leland Philip Weingeroff, a fourth grader at the Wheeler School who died in a private plane crash in 2005 along with his parents, Gregg and Dawn Weingeroff. The plaque on the statue reads: ?EUR??,,????'?????<
East Campus Rec Area A new garden reception space nestled adjacent to two school-owned residences has extensive landscape lighting created for small events. Lush landscaping now lines the new pathways in this beautiful park-like setting.
Foundation plantings include formal hedging and colorful perennials. Unused space was converted into much-needed faculty and ride-share parking. While each campus space has its own identity, Pressley Associates designed for a continuity of materials: wire-cut brick paving, granite and bluestone paving and walls, classic black iron fencing and contemporary seating elements. Bollard lights and contemporary pedestrian pole fixtures bring a soft glow on all walking surfaces. Uplighting accents the mature and newly planted large caliper trees. Lighting also highlights a fa??????ade?EUR??,,????'?????<
 The children are leaving their four-square/hop-scotch play area and traversing granite stepping-stones to the Science Garden.
Project?EUR??,,????'?????< The improvements were initiated in 2005 after completion of a campus master plan and receipt of a significant gift for capital projects and financial aid. The gift was a catalyst for increased support for the ?EUR??,,????'?????<
 The courtyard is a vibrant, safe and attractive transition environment between classes. Seat walls of ?EUR??,,????'?????<
Role of the Landscape Architect Plant material selections were discussed with the school?EUR??,,????'?????< The grade school staff took field trips to view play equipment installations to better guide their selections. Design elements and materials established in earlier work by the firm were used throughout the campus to unify the environment.
 A smaller playground for the younger set offers a ?EUR??,,????'?????<
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