OUTDOOR LEARNING PLAN
Blanchard Memorial Outdoor Learning Plan
The Blanchard Outdoor Learning Plan at Blanchard Memorial Elementary School seeks to solidify and extend our commitment to getting children outdoors. We believe in the multitude of benefits associated with outdoor learning - from social-emotional regulation and health to the enormous opportunities to extend traditional learning in math, science, and language arts through our natural world. Last fall, the Blanchard PTF engaged local landscape architect and designer, Lemonbrooke, to create an outdoor plan to address accessibility and ADA-compliance, increase our access from the school to the abutting wetlands and forests, and create additional outdoor learning spaces to support teacher requests for formal outdoor classroom activities.
Once completed, the project will not only have a direct impact on the school and the 500+ student body - but will also serve as a space to support numerous community stakeholders. While the Town of Boxborough has many trails for public access, the location of the Hager Land Access Trail is unique – it has ample parking, is located on a main road with clear signage, and is in the center of town. Its location abutting the elementary school makes it accessible to the community as a usable facility during non-school hours for public and community groups. The space is currently utilized by Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts who regularly use school facilities for meetings, and the general public. As such, the space extends potential use beyond education to stewardship and recreation. Bird watching is another key draw to this space, featuring over 105 species of birds throughout the year. Once completed, the Plan allows accessible viewing for people of limited mobility.
The schematic designs have been completed; and we are ready to kick off funding and implementation. You can view the plan below, and make a donation toward the project at www.blanchardptf.org/plan. We look forward to the community’s support in helping us take the next critical step of fundraising and look forward to sharing the results of this project’s impact on our next generation of land stewards, explorers, and educators.
Please indicate your donation is going to the Outdoor Learning Plan in the note section. Thank you for your support!
Donate
Please indicate your donation is going to the Outdoor Learning Plan in the note section. Thank you for your support!