Landmark Design was selected to provide landscape architecture services for the Early Childhood Education and Research Center at Utah State University located in Logan, Utah.  This facility provides classrooms for university students, offices for staff, and a school for children ages zero to five years old.  Many of these children also have hearing impairments and other disabilities. 

Landmark Design was responsible for the landscape design of the overall site, including a large play area, plazas, play fields, site landscaping, and a green roof.  Landmark Design also detailed many custom site and play elements.  The design process began in the conceptual design phase and was taken through construction documents and construction administration.  Specific care was taken to involve university personnel and meet university and DFCM standards.

The play area for this project is approximately 0.5 acres, and was specially designed to involve the children in nature and provide open ended play and learning opportunities.  No traditional play equipment was implemented in the design.  Extensive research and collaboration was required to provide an experientially rich play area appropriate for very small children.  Careful consideration was given to how infants, toddlers, and small children would each experience the environment using the senses of touch, sight, hearing, and smell.  The project architect and university staff members were excited to give their support to this unique design approach.

Plants utilized throughout the site were chosen for their water-wise characteristics in addition to their aesthetic appeal.  Native plants were used extensively in the design as part of this approach.