School Description
Jakob Schmitt Elementary is located in the heart of the Ruby Hill neighborhood, just west of the South Platte and Ruby Hill Park. The school and grounds cover two full city blocks, and are bordered on all sides by significant stretches of single family homes. Three of the four bordering streets, Colorado, Tejon and Vallejo, are very quiet, with little traffic. Jewell Avenue, which forms the southern boundary of the block, is the busiest of the four bordering streets, but volumes are still fairly low. Evans Avenue, three blocks south of the school, is the closest major arterial, and commercial district. Ruby Hill Park, two blocks east of the school, provides outdoor recreation facilities, many acres of open land, steep sledding hills and commanding views of the Denver and the Platte Valley. Schmitt is a traditional schedule school, and provides education for ECE through 5th grade. For the 2003-2004 school year the approximate enrollment was 450, and the school is currently at maximum enrollment. The demographics of the student population mirror those of the neighborhood.
Learning Landscapes Description
Mesa Verde, a special place for this school, is the organizing principle for the master plan which proposes extensive educational gardens, art pieces, and shade opportunities.
Vision
The overall vision for the Schmitt Elementary playground is the product of strong leadership, meaningful community and school participation and personal insight. The vision for the project as a whole started with the universally respected Principal, Gaynell Lawrence, and took off from there with the help of the faculty and several highly involved PTA presidents. The outcome has been a strong vision of a playground that is safer, more engaging and connected to the children’s needs, desires and curriculum. All parties involved have expressed the desire for a more lively, and safe playground as well as learning and recreation opportunities for all students and community members.
Goals
- Create a safe playground.
- Create a more engaging playground.
- Utilize the vast spaces more efficiently Provide opportunities for use by entire school and community.
Illustrative Plan
Construction Drawings
Play Equipment
Shade Structure