Meet Our Playgrounds!

As you walk around the Carmel Mountain Preschool campus you may notice that our playgrounds look different than other schools in the area. There are no big, plastic, colorful play structures that were around in the 90’s and early 2000’s. Our playgrounds are transforming into a more natural play space where children can connect with nature.

We are lucky enough to be partnering with Amy Hite, an architect and contractor, and her team to create new areas of exploring for our children.

She states: “We create environments where children can explore a world they can master, conquering their fears and developing new com­petencies that lead to enhanced confidence and the re­siliency they will need to face future challenges. On the playground, children learn how to work in groups, to share, to negotiate, to resolve conflicts, to learn self-advocacy and decision-making skills”

All of the materials Hite uses have been constructed from local materials sustainably harvested from San Diego’s urban forest.

The tire swing on the three’s yard is made of Eucalyptus sourced from Escondido Creek conservancy Sardinas Preserve (trying to eliminate invasive Eucalyptus and return the area to native plants and trees). The lincoln log climbing structure, also on the three’s yard, is from the foundation of a one hundred year old navy supply building at the corner of north harbor drive and broadway.

On the four’s yard, the slide is Deodar Cedar from La Mesa, the climbing cookies are Torrey Pine from Del Mar, and the tricycle bumpers are from a Bunya-Bunya tree from Grossmont.
“Natural playgrounds fill the children’s sensory world with beautiful sights, sounds, smells, touches and sometimes even taste” said Hite. “Most importantly, natural playgrounds are fun and foster pure joy which is the most cherished part of childhood.”
We look forward to the continued progress being made on all of our play yards and around campus.