This document proposes renovating and improving the outdoor classroom at Meadowbrook Elementary School in Utah to commemorate their 50th anniversary. The project involves a 4 phase plan: 1) Clean up the area by removing trash and vegetation, 2) Add trees, shrubs, flowers and grass, 3) Create mulch pathways and landscaping, 4) Build infrastructure like seating, a podium and chalkboard. The total estimated cost is $2008 to complete all phases. Funding is requested to provide students a safe, interactive learning space through beautification.

1. 2014/2015
PlayworksCoachBrendanMackey
DavisSchool District
2014/2015
Meadowbrook Outdoor Classroom

2. I. Introduction
Playworks’visionisthatone dayeverychildinAmericawill gettoplay - everyday.We create a
place for everykidonthe playground,aplace where everykidbelongs,hasfunandispart of the game.
We offeranessential opportunityforchildrentoexplore theirimaginations,toconnectwithotherkids
and to stretchand growphysically,emotionally,andsocially
In 1996, Jill Vialetwassittingacrossfroma principal of anelementaryschool inOakland.The
principal lookedhaggard,emergingfromanearliermeetingtrailedbythree 5thgrade boys.The
principal launchedintoatirade about…recess.
She was tiredof seeingthe same kidsinheroffice everyday,hauledinforfightingonthe
playground.These weren’tbadkids,the principalinsisted.Theyjustwere usingtheirpowersunwisely
on the playground.Meanwhile,herteacherslookedforanyexcuse — sometimesliterallyhiding — to
avoidrecesssotheywouldn’thave toconfrontthe inevitable outbreakof chaos.
Shortlyafterthat meeting,VialetfoundedSports4Kids,now Playworks.Ourgoal:transform
recessandthe school daywithsafe and healthyplaysoteacherscanteach and kidscan learn.
Today,recesson our playgroundsisalotmore fun.There are gamesgoingon where previously
the space wasunusedorchaotic. There are fewerkidsonthe sidelines.Kidsplaytogether — boyswith
girls,girlswithboys.They’re active,andyousee alotof highfivesandheara lotof positive language.
On our playgrounds,kidsresolvethose little issuesbysimplyusingRock-Paper-Scissors.Everykidplays.
Playworksisthe onlynonprofitorganizationinthe countryprovidingtrained,full-timecoaches
focusedonrecessto hundredsof low-income schoolsinmajorurbanareas.We alsoprovide training
and technical assistance toschools,districtsandyouthorganizationsthatwanttoensure thateverykid
plays- safely,inclusivelyandwithjoy.
Principalsandteachersatour schoolswantus back everyyear,tellingusthatthat disciplinary
issuesare downandengagementandparticipationinthe classroomisup -- dramatically.Theytell us
there’smore communityattheirschoolswithkidsplayingoutsidetheirnormal groups.Andtheytellus
that there’smore time forstudentstolearnbecause teachersspendlesstime transitioningfromrecess
to the classroom,andfewerconflictsspillingintoit.Infact,aroundthe countryour teacherstell usthey
getback around 20 hoursin recoveredteachingtime.
Theytell usthat the safe and healthyplayPlayworksbringstoschoolshelpsstudentssucceedinthe
classroom— and inlife.Playworksforeverykid.
- See more at: http://www.playworks.org/about/our-story#sthash.9zWh5O4W.dpuf
PlayworkshasrecentlyteamedupwithAmeriCorpstoexpandour outreachtoschoolsacross
the nation.Thishas resultedinourexpansionintoothercommunity service opportunities.Projectslike
the one I’m aboutto propose toyou have beenconductedall overthe county annually.We take pride in
improvingthe social and emotional wellbeingof ourstudentsas well asthe communitiesthattheylive
in.Withyour participationinthiscommunityengagementinitiativewe willbe able tocreate a safe place
of constructive healthylearningforthe studentsof MeadowbrookElementary.

3. II. DECALARTION OF INTENT
MeadowbrookElementaryOf westBountiful,Utahwill be havingtheir50th
Anniversary Inthe
up and coming2015/2016 school year.To commemorate thismagnificentaccomplishmentineducation
we wouldlike torenovate andimprove upon the preexistingoutdoorclassroomthat Meadowbrook
currentlyhas. On April 25-26 2015 we will commence the restorationandimprovement of
Meadowbrook’sOutdoorclassroom.This beatificationprojectwillprovidethe current395 and future
studentsof Meadowbrookelementary aplace to learninthe outdoors.Asa Title one school
Meadowbrookhasverylimitedresources,none of whichare allocatedforthiscommunityinitiative
beatificationproject.Withsome financial supportwe canhave a communityservice eventthatwill bring
the communitytogetheraroundacommongoal. Developingpositive social andemotional relationships
throughoutthe community.A communityeventsuchasthiswill fill the residentswithpride abouttheir
community,buildingconfidence inthemselvesas well astheirchildren.
III. STATEMENTOF THE PROBLEM OR NEED
The remains of Meadowbrook’soutdoorclass
room consists of stadiumseatingconstructed from
oldrailroadties,whichhave beensetintothe hill
side. Overthe yearsthe area has beenneglected,
overgrownwithvegetation,andriddledwithlitter.
The poor state and unfavorable conditionsof the
outdoorclassroom has causedteacherstoshy away
fromutilizingthisassetMeadowbrookhastooffer.
ThisoutdoorteachingfacilityhasfallenunderGreat
distressandneedstobe rejuvenated.Notonlydoes
it needtobe rejuvenated,butitneedstobe
improvedupon.Thiswill insure thatthe future
childrenof Meadowbrookwillhave abeautiful area
where theycan learnin nature.
A change on the school groundswill encourage the teacherstouse the outdoorlearningscape
resultinginthe developmentof connections betweenplayexperiencesandthe formal curriculum.
Duringa StudyinNewSouthWales 9 out of 15 teachers saidthatlearnscape influencedtheirthinking
abouttheirteachingpractices. These influencescreate fresherideasandbetterpracticeswhilestill
retainingthe core focusof the curriculum. Childrenbecome more interactive inlessonswhichgenerates
knowledge ratherthanjustabsorbinginformation.Studentsthathave beenexposedtolearningscapes
have shownan increase sense of ownershipin theirlearning. Ourenvironmentplaysahuge part inour
attitude,byimprovingthe groundsstudentswillchange theirperceptionof the school resultinginan
increasedexcitementaboutattendingschool (A Review of Research on Outdoor Learning 31-50).

4. IV. STATEMENTOF SOLUTION
The Meadowbrookbeatificationprojecthasfourphases.These phasesare brokendownbythe
amountof restorationthatwe can accomplishdependentof fundingrangingfromZerofundingtoour
full budget. Eachphase has beendesigntofollowthe completionof the previousphase. The ultimate
goal is to accomplishall fourphasesprovidingthe childrenwiththe bestoutdoorclassroompossible.
Phase one: Cleanup
We will cleanupthe trashthat has beenlitteredalongthe creek
side andthroughoutthe outdoorclassroomgrounds.The cleanupwill
not onlybe limitedto trashbutinclude undesirablebiomatteraswell,
for example sticksandleaves. The removal of dangerouslimbsfrom
decayingtreeswill preventfutureaccidents fromfallenlimbs.
Manicuringthe existingvegetationwillalsoopenupthe outdoor
classroomarea formore exposure tosunlight.
Phase two: Plants
In thisprojectwe will addfive treestothe groundsof the elementaryschool.Fourof the trees
will be plantedonthe southfieldof the playgroundcreatinganatural barrierbetweenthe playground
and the street.The fifthtree will be plantedinside the outdoorclassroomfence asamemorial of the
volunteerswhohelpedbuildthe classroom.A varietyof shrubs, flowers,andplantswillbe plantedwith
labelstoencourage plantidentification. We will add grassseedtothe preexistinggrass inattemptsto
thickenupthe lawn.Thiswill provide amore desirableturf forthe studentsto sitand play on.
Phase three: Landscape
By usingmulchwe can create a pathwayfromthe gate
to a large area in frontof the seatingarea.Thiswill providea
natural stage for the teacherto addresshisor her class.A path
aroundthe groundswhere the plantsare showcasedfor
identificationwillalsobe constructed. The mulch will create a
softand aesthetically pleasingpathwaywhile alsopreventing
erosionfromfoottraffic.
Phase Four: Infrastructure
The preexistingseatingareahasa couple rail roadties
that will need tobe replacedandthe whole thingcoulduse afreshcoat of paint.Paintwill rejuvenate
the preexistingseatingareaandprovide additionalprotection,extendingthe life of the structure.Inthe
large area infrontof the seatingareaa podiumandoutdoorchalkboard withroof will be constructedto
assistthe teacherduring hisor her lessons. Buildingthese structuresfrompressure treatedwoodand
withroofswill extendthe longevityof the outdoorclassroom. A New woodengate thatismore
aesthetically pleasingandwelcomingwillbe made toencourage the use of the outdoorclassroomnot
onlybyteachersduringclasstime,butalsoby afterschool programsand communityorganizers.

5. V. FUNDING REQUEST
Withthisfundingwe shouldbe able tocreate an interactive learningscape complete withplants
for identification, infrastructure forteaching, andanoverall safe environment forthe students of
MeadowbrookElementary tolearn.Costof eachphase hasbeencalculated ina progressive manner,
meaningeach previous phase’scostshasbeencalculatedintothe currentphase. Tocomplete phase one
we will require fundinginthe amountof $75. The cost of completing phase one andtwoare estimated
to total to the amount of $615 dollars. Phases one,two,andthree of the beatificationprojectwill
require fundsinthe amountof $1215. To complete all fourphasesof the full beatificationprojectwe
will require fundinginthe amountof $2008.

6. VI. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Material cost Quanity total
Trash Bags 14.98 1 14.98
Gloves 10 2 20
Garden rakes 9.98 1 9.98
Leaf rakes 14.98 2 29.96
Maple tree 29.99 4 119.96
sycamore tree 29.99 1 29.99
Holly Bush 17.49 2 34.98
ferns 11.99 4 47.96
sweet potato vine 12.49 4 49.96
Grass Seed 52.67 2 105.34
juniper 12.49 4 49.96
cypress 18.99 4 75.96
Hydrangea 6.49 4 25.96
Multch 500 10 yards 500
edging 24.98 4 99.92
1 gal red 26.87 2 53.74
1 gal blue 26.87 2 53.74
1 gal white 26.87 2 53.74
clakboard spray paint 4.08 4 16.32
Paint thinner 23.98 1 23.98
glue 7.98 1 7.98
paint brush / rollers kits 7.98 4 31.92
shingles 30.15 2 60.3
starter strip 3.08 3 9.24
roofing nails 33.92 2 67.84
tar paper 27.75 1 27.75
osb 9.25 2 18.5
ply4x4 14.97 1 14.97
ply 4x8 21.55 1 21.55
4x4x12 20.97 5 104.85
4x2x8 5.67 12 68.04
2x6x8 9.37 6 56.22
6x6x8 25.97 1 25.97
screws 29.98 2 59.96
hindges 5.98 2 11.96
latches 4.24 1 4.24
Overall total2007.72
Budget
Phase One: Clean up
Phase two: Plants
Phase Three: Landscape
Phase Four: Infrastructure

7. VII. EVALUATION AND REPORTING
The resultsof our effortswill be measuredbutthe completionof eachphase.Withthe
collaborationof volunteercontractors,engineers,helpinghands,andlandscaperswe canbuildan
outdoorclassroom to the qualitythatMeadowbrook deserves.The hoursthatthe volunteersprovide
will be documentedforAmeriCorpsrecords. The Outdoorclassroomwill onlytake basicupkeepthat
Rick, Meadowbrook’s Groundskeeper,hasalreadycommittedhimself to.
VIII. REQUIRED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
Contact information:
BrendanMackey
Email:Brendan.Mackey@playworks.org
Phone:(484)467-1682
MeadowbrookElementary
Address:700N 325W
Bountiful,Ut84010
Phone:(801)420-5500
Playworks Letter from the Internal Revenue Service approving your organization’s 501(c)(3) status is
attached to the back of this document.
Rickinson, Mark, Justin Dillon, Kelly Teamey, Marian Morris, Mee Young Choi, Dawn Sanders, and
Pauline Benefield. "A Review of Research on Outdoor Learning." Academia. Edu (2004): 31-50.
Web. 29 Sept. 2014.