The Gift of Play
We are delighted to announce an exciting, transformational initiative which will bring joy, discovery and adventure to Cold Spring students for decades to come: a new playground!
A New Playground
At Cold Spring, we hold play as sacred during these foundational years of childhood. Cold Spring's beloved Pear Tree Yard is the heart of the school in many ways. It is a gathering space, a place for big-bodied play, and an outdoor classroom where the natural world can be explored up close. With the completion of Cold Spring's new Preschool building in 2023, the Pear Tree Yard is now in its new and final configuration making this the perfect time to reimagine and redesign this integral outdoor campus space.
How exciting that we can, in this moment in time, make a permanent mark on the school in this way! This transformation will benefit generations of Cold Spring students to come. In this first phase, Cold Spring is starting with the construction of a brand new, custom-designed play structure with dreams of continuing to expand from here in future years.
Playground Design
Together, a committee of Cold Spring faculty and staff members has worked with New Haven playground designer, Fred Martin, to create a custom play structure, fit specifically for our students and our space. A multi-component design, Cold Spring's new play area will include a large, central play structure as well as two "satellite" components spread out throughout the Pear Tree Yard. The main structure features a large climber with slides, a suspension bridge, a "nest", and more. The other two "satellites" include a log and rope climber and a giant, hollowed-out log for hiding, dreaming, and all other things "play"!
This innovative, intentional design will strategically and creatively increase our “play footprint” and will be a playground for every grade and every child at CSS.
Outdoor play is crucial to the development of the whole child. This new playground will allow children to challenge their physical skills, take age appropriate risks, engage in imaginative play, and more.
Donna Dacosta, Head Preschool Teacher
Meet the Director of Development
Georgia Lieber joined Cold Spring School as Development Director in 2021. She is also a current parent and long-time member of the New Haven community.