Child's View Montessori School

Child’s View Montessori: Transforming Asphalt into Adventure

Location: Portland, OR

Client: Child’s View Montessori School

We are thrilled to showcase a landmark retrofit project at Child’s View Montessori. By converting a former paved parking lot into a world-class nature play environment for students ages 2–5, we replaced traditional impervious surfaces with a sensory-rich landscape that perfectly aligns with Montessori principles of discovery and independence.

Moving away from standard plastic structures, this Grasstains design-build project prioritizes organic textures and imaginative challenges. It serves as a model for early childhood centers looking to maximize limited outdoor footprints while providing high-value, nature-based play that supports cognitive and emotional growth.

Project Highlights
Urban Transformation: We completely removed the existing asphalt parking lot, introducing green infrastructure to manage site drainage and reduce urban heat island effects.

Imaginative Challenges: A new "Boulder Scramble" and a custom-built "Fox Den" encourage physical problem-solving and gross motor development through planned risk.

Active Play Features: We constructed a custom play mound covered in premium synthetic turf, complete with an integrated slide and overhead shade sails for year-round comfort.

Sensory & Creative Play: The playground features custom sensory play walls and integrated sand elements designed for hands-on, tactile exploration.

Living Landscape: A dedicated children’s garden introduces native plantings alongside a beautiful living willow tunnel.

"The transformation at Child’s View Montessori is a perfect example of how we can rethink underutilized urban spaces. By removing asphalt and introducing elements like the Fox Den and sensory walls, we’ve created a sanctuary where young children can calculate risk, engage their senses, and learn through movement."