Great play doesn’t require a big footprint — it requires thoughtful design. That’s exactly what we set out to create with Ojo Encino Day School’s updated playground, and we couldn’t be more proud of how it came together.
Designing With Intention
Working within a compact space, we designed an environment packed with play value, and a whole lot of shade to keep little ones comfortable through even the warmest days. The challenge of a smaller footprint isn’t a limitation. It’s an invitation to be more intentional, more creative, and more deliberate about every square foot. Every element earns its place.
Playground Colors That Tell a Story
Color wasn’t decoration; it was storytelling — a reflection of the students who call this preschool home and the culture they deserve to see celebrated in the spaces built for them. The result is a vibrant, sensory-rich playground where color tells a story. From the surfacing to the equipment selections, the rich hues reflect both the school’s identity and the colors of the Navajo palette woven throughout.
Built for Every Child
Every detail was intentional. We removed aging tile surfacing and installed poured-in-place safety surfacing, creating a safe, accessible foundation for all students. Inclusive playground equipment ensures kids of every ability can fully participate, while ground-level sensory panels, nature play elements, and imaginative play spaces invite children ages 2–5 to explore, create, and discover at their own pace. Two planter boxes give kids the chance to get their hands in the soil, growing native plants or fresh foods and connecting with the natural world. A spinner and bobble rider add motion with a fresh twist, and a tricycle track gives kids the freedom to zoom to their hearts’ content.
The variety of equipment means children can move between active play, imaginative play, nature play, and sensory engagement — all within one thoughtfully designed space. If you’re planning a childcare center playground, Pre-K, or FACE program playground, this project is a great example of how much play value can be included into a compact footprint.
Built on Partnership, Designed for Your Community
What made this project especially meaningful was the process. We had the privilege of collaborating closely with the school community: listening to every voice, honoring the school’s goals and vision, and making sure everyone felt heard every step of the way. That kind of partnership doesn’t just make a better playground. It makes a space that truly belongs to the people who use it.
We are so grateful for the trust this community placed in us, and it has been a joy to bring playground equipment to New Mexico communities that students will enjoy for decades to come.
