Freedom by Design Celebrates with Custom-Designed Outdoor Learning Center

Students of the Governor Morehead School (GMS) celebrated the redesign of their new Outdoor Learning Center in a ceremony on Thursday, April 11, surrounded by community members, builders and NC State students who contributed to the project’s design and much of the labor, both in the shop and on the site. 

The project has been one of the most ambitious in the Freedom by Design club, housed within the American Institute of Architects student chapter at NC State. Students in Freedom by Design are committed to designing and building solutions to community problems, and have worked with teachers and administrators at the Governor Morehead School to anticipate and account for student needs in this space. 

“This project represents countless hours of meetings, volunteer services, designs, redesigns and donated funds,” said Melvin Diggs, director of the Governor Morehead School. “Every part, every shape is designed to help support our students’ learning experience to build confidence in themselves to be empowered learners, seek out new challenges, and be the successful citizens we know that they will be.”

The previous playground was inaccessible to the students, with only a slide, a small swing set and some monkey bars. It included mulch, which was hard for the students to traverse. The new design specifically accounts for the visual impairment of the students at GMS, with high-contrast surface materials, a tactile sensory wall, a series of auditory chimes, a whisper tube, a bench swing, a spin station, a track with a banked curve, an edible garden and much-needed shade and resting space. 

The resulting project cost over $120,000 to implement, and was funded through building materials donations, local community groups such as the Raleigh Host Lions Club, a small grant from the NC Youth Outdoor Engagement Commission and from grassroots fundraising efforts. 

“I want to acknowledge the students – this was built for you, we care about you, we want to be involved in your success,” said Francisco Chavez, president of the Governor Morehead Foundation. Mark Hoversten, dean of the College of Design, added that “through projects like these, our students get to learn about how things are built, how to raise money and how to work with people who have their own unique challenges and goals. It’s our motto at NC State to Think and Do, and this is a great example of that.”

NC State students have poured their hearts and souls into every aspect of this project, collaborating with experts on the construction of the space, speaking with teachers to learn about individual student needs and advocating within their communities to bolster funds and encourage donations from neighbors and community members alike. 

Brooklyn Scotto, former director and Katherine Brooks, current director spoke passionately about the importance of teamwork to make this design a reality. “This project was born out of a simple yet powerful idea to create a space where children of all ages, regardless of their circumstance, can come together to play, learn and experience the joy of childhood,” said Brooks. 

“This is more than just a playground. It is a symbol of inclusivity, empowerment and hope, and is a testament to what can be achieved when we come together from a shared purpose and commitment to making a difference in the lives of others,” said Scotto.

Supporters

Thank you to the generous supporters who committed time, energy and resources to make this project possible.

• Bryan Bell, Freedom by Design faculty advisor and professor in the School of Architecture at NC State University
• Andrew Osterlund, Osterlund Architects PLLC
• McClure and Associates Construction
• NC Youth Outdoor Engagement Commission
• The Raleigh Host Lions Club
• Donations from individual community supporters like you