Nielsen Child Care and Learning
Center Play Lots
Location: Northbrook, IL
Work area: Exterior playscapes
Architect: OKW Architects

Founded in the late 1980s, the Nielsen Child Care and Learning Center in north suburban Northbrook provides child care from birth through Kindergarten. Each of the center’s interactive outdoor play areas features an environmental design and is tailored to one of four age groups.

Project description:
• Removal of concrete and the addition of cedar playhouses, nature trails, in-ground sand pits, pools of water, grassy hills, shrubs, and additional trees in four playgrounds

• Installation of natural forms, rather than manmade structures, to encourage children to enter and play

Project highlights:
• One of the first naturalistic playscapes in North America

• Hypoallergenic and nontoxic design plans and materials

• Custom-built playhouse structures

• Logs specifically made to double as benches and balance beams

Services provided:
• Landscaping
• General contracting
• Budgeting
• Estimating
• Value engineering
• Self-performed Carpentry; General labor; Millwork