We’re excited to announce the completion of a transformative project at St. Johnsbury School in Vermont. UltiPlay Parks & Playgrounds partnered with several key collaborators to build a vibrant new playground, basketball courts, outdoor classrooms, and an earthwork amphitheater—designed to inspire creativity, physical activity, and outdoor learning for the students.
The playground features equipment from two of our exclusive manufacturing partners. Earthscape, known for its custom natural playgrounds, provided beautiful, nature-inspired play structures that blend seamlessly with the surrounding environment. Playworld, a leader in innovative and inclusive playground equipment, contributed play structures designed to spark physical, social, and cognitive development in children of all ages.
A Collaborative Effort
The success of this project was made possible through collaboration with experts across various disciplines. SE Group, a landscape architecture and planning firm with a focus on creating sustainable outdoor spaces, played a vital role in shaping the vision for this project.
In addition, Black River Design, an architectural firm known for creating inspiring educational environments, contributed to the design of the outdoor classrooms, ensuring they are both functional and engaging. Spates Construction Inc., a well-respected general contractor, was instrumental in bringing the design to life, overseeing the construction of the new facilities. J. Fenoff Site Works, LLC provided essential site work and infrastructure support, ensuring that the grounds were prepared for long-term use.
“Seeing the excitement from the students at St. Johnsbury School makes all the work worthwhile,” said Chris Martin, UltiPlay’s Northern New England sales representative. “Our goal was to create spaces that foster play, learning, and community engagement.”
Overcoming Challenges: The July 2024 Flood
In the midst of construction, the St. Johnsbury community faced a significant challenge—a major flooding event that affected many parts of the town, including the school grounds. The flood caused delays and damage to the project site, requiring additional efforts to ensure the safety and stability of the new playground and outdoor spaces.
“This was an unexpected and challenging moment for everyone involved, but the resilience of the community and the dedication of our partners were truly inspiring,” shared Chris. “We worked closely with the construction teams and engineers to assess the impact, make necessary repairs, and keep the project on track.”
The community’s support during this time was remarkable. Despite the setbacks, the project continued with the shared goal of creating a space where children could learn, play, and come together—offering a bright spot after a difficult summer.
Thank You to St. Johnsbury School
We are incredibly grateful to the St. Johnsbury School for their trust and partnership throughout this project, especially during the challenges posed by the flood. Together, we’ve created outdoor spaces that will not only provide play opportunities but also enhance the learning environment for generations to come.
At UltiPlay Parks & Playgrounds, we’re committed to building imaginative, safe, and inclusive recreational spaces across Vermont and beyond. We look forward to continuing our mission and making outdoor play more accessible to all.
