Growing Minds Need Room to Play

A community-driven campaign to reimagine outdoor play at Emerson School. Help us build a playground that supports joy, movement, and meaningful connection for every student.

What Is Play It Forward ?

Play It Forward is a story-driven, community-centered campaign to create a transformational outdoor play and learning space at Emerson School. While the campaign supports an important fundraising goal, its deeper purpose is to celebrate childhood, reflect Emerson’s educational values, and invite families, alumni, and friends to participate in something lasting and meaningful.

This is not simply about building a playground. It is about honoring the role play has always held at Emerson—and imagining what is possible when learning, movement, and connection are thoughtfully designed together.

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The Vision

A Playground for Now and the Future

The vision for Emerson’s new playground is rooted in the belief that play shapes childhood—and that the environments we create today leave a lasting legacy for generations to come.

Through thoughtful design and community engagement, we aim to create a dynamic outdoor space that fosters creative play, exploration, physical challenge, and meaningful connection to nature. This playground is designed to grow with our students, supporting a wide range of ages, abilities, and learning styles.

It will be a place where children move, imagine, collaborate, and belong.

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Confidence & Emotional Growth

Movement and physical challenge build resilience, confidence, and emotional regulation.

Creativity & Curiosity

Nature-rich environments invite imagination, exploration, and self-directed discovery.

Problem-Solving & Independence

Age-appropriate challenge encourages children to take risks, collaborate, and think critically.

Playground at a Glance

Expanded middle school play area with new challenge and climbing elements
Blended design combining natural discovery zones with traditional structures
Multisensory features, including outdoor music elements and water play
Two outdoor classrooms that extend learning into nature
Connected trail network with paved, accessible paths for safe movement
Enhanced sports areas with updated surfacing, multi-sport court, and gaga pit
Additional age-appropriate play structures for every developmental stage

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

The success of Play It Forward will be measured not only in what is built, but in what is experienced—children moving, laughing, learning, and connecting in a space created with care. This playground will serve Emerson students for years to come, carrying forward the values of community, curiosity, and joyful learning that define the Emerson experience.

We invite you to be part of Play It Forward and help build a playground that reflects who we are and what we value as a community. Give today, then return to this page to follow the story—track our progress and hear directly from our community along the way.

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* Amount includes both cash received and outstanding pledges.

Naming Opportunities

Play It Forward is about more than building a playground. It is about shaping the daily experiences of Emerson students for generations to come. Through these naming opportunities, donors can make a lasting, visible investment in joyful play, purposeful movement, and meaningful learning.

Big Structure & Flexx Swing

Designed for students in Grades 2–8, this dynamic centerpiece supports adventurous play while building strength, balance, confidence, and collaboration among older students . . . $150,000

Swings, Net Climber & Blacktop

Serving students from Young Fives through Grade 3, this versatile area combines classic playground favorites with open space for active games, social interaction, and free play . . . $150,000

Sport Court & FitCore Elements

Created for students in Grades 4–8, this multi-use athletic zone promotes physical fitness, teamwork, and structured recreation, supporting both organized play and independent movement . . . $150,000

Natural Play Elements

This immersive, nature-inspired area features a water element, sand pit, log climbers, wooden domes, and a teepee, inviting curiosity, creativity, and open-ended exploration . . . $100,000

Early Childhood Structure & Musical Elements

Designed for Young Fives through Grade 1, this playful environment blends movement and sound to encourage coordination, imaginative play, and sensory-rich experiences . . . $90,000

Outdoor Classrooms (2 opportunities)

Located in two distinct areas, these purpose-built outdoor learning spaces extend Emerson’s classrooms into nature, supporting reflection, discussion, and hands-on learning across grade levels . . . $60,000

If you are interested in any of these naming opportunities, or would like to explore additional ways to make a leadership-level gift to Play It Forward, we would be delighted to connect with you. Please contact Director of Development Terry Langston at tlangston@emerson-school.org or 734-665-5662 ext. 305, or Development Officer Heather Asteriou at hasteriou@emerson-school.org or 734-665-5662 ext. 310 to begin the conversation.