Second-year Horticulture- Landscape Technician students have secured first place in the Come Alive Outside Design Challenge.
Their winning vision will transform the schoolyard at James Morden Public School in Niagara Falls into a thriving “living laboratory.”
Since 2013, the Come Alive Outside Design Challenge, hosted by Landscape Ontario, has connected post-secondary and secondary students with landscape professionals to design and build outdoor educational spaces at various schools and childcare centres. Its objective: to create outdoor spaces that invite children to connect with nature.
This was the first time the initiative has launched in the Niagara region. The challenge, which began in November at James Morden, tasked participants with creating a naturalized playground and teaching space.
NC’s submission was a collaborative class project led by School of Environment and Horticulture Professor Carrie Zimmerman; students worked collaboratively on the challenge during Fall term.
Focused on creating spaces for inclusive, nature-based play, their winning design – which targeted all five senses – divided the yard into four distinct nature zones: “Mustang Meadow,” a rejuvenation of the sports field; “The Corral,” a dedicated outdoor classroom for hands-on learning; “Mustang Market,” an extension of the existing vegetable garden; and “The Play Paddock,” an enhanced natural playground to boost motor skills.
“Transforming the schoolyard into an inclusive, nature-based play and learning space will give all James Morden students the chance to explore, create, and learn in meaningful ways,” noted the class in their design submission. “Ultimately, nature offers the most flexible and inspiring space for students to grow, and this design ensures they can fully experience it.”
The winner was recently announced by Landscape Ontario. Students secured their victory with the highest total score overall; they outshined their competitors with the highest score from industry professionals judging the competition, as well as a first-place vote from the James Morden community.
Landscape Ontario will begin working with DSBN facilities, partners and volunteers to launch phase one of the build. Construction is expected to begin in 2027
