Abstracts Category : Other

Literature inthe landscape: designing public parks to encourage outdoorexploration, activity and reading for elementary school-agedchildren

by Katelyn Rose

Landscape architects have an opportunity to designoutdoor environments that promote exploration and physical activityfor elementary school students in an effort to combat childhoodobesity and nature deficit disorder, while reinforcing theimportance of reading. By layering themes from classic childrensliterature into the landscape surrounding the Andover PublicLibrary, a landscape was designed where children can explorephysically and intellectually while being active in the outdoorenvironment. Research has identified the importance and benefits ofoutdoor exploration, activity and reading for elementary schoolstudents. Interviewing teachers and librarians about classicchildrens literature and how they commonly use it helped inform myresearch efforts in choosing timeless and well-known pieces ofchildrens literature. Completing a site inventory and analysis ofAndover Central Park, which surrounds the Andover Public Library,informed my site design process. The intent of my site design is toexplore ways of incorporating childrens literature into a playlandscape that provides opportunity for exploration and physicalactivity in nature.Advisors/Committee Members: Anne E. Beamish.