the Neighborhood Design Center

Schoolyards and Learning Environments

Tot-Lot Play Space Design

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It began with a question: How can a small lot transform into a new, inclusive tot lot play space?


NDC supported Baltimore’s Dallas F. Nicholas Sr. Elementary School in the design of improvements to their existing outdoor pre-K play space, located in the southwest corner of the school’s property.

Working with volunteer design professionals, NDC lead discussions with school faculty and staff to determine the necessary improvements, and create conceptual design documents that illustrate the school’s vision for a more inclusive, updated, colorful, age-appropriate play area for PreK- Kindergarten students.

This Community Design Works project was led by design volunteers Laura Stella and Stephane Gross Jr., with direction by NDC staff Maura Dwyer. Thanks to Aaron Kaufman at Central Baltimore Partnership for welcoming NDC into their childhood development work at Dallas F. Nicholas.

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The Challenge: Upgrade a small, fenced-in lot with outdated play equipment, hard surfaces, and no shade.

Why improvements matter

    • Two Pre-K classes and an after-school daycare program currently share the small tot lot, with little active stimulation on the nearly empty lot.

    • Up to 25 children may be outside at once, often clustered in a narrow strip of shade along the low brick wall to the left of the classroom entrance.

    • The existing elementary playground is designed for ages 5–12 and includes equipment unsafe for younger children.

    • Pre-K students need a safe, creative play space suited to their developmental stage.

    • The Pre-K program includes students with special needs who require adaptive features for equitable play and
      exploration.

    • A care-centered, inclusive playground design is needed to support all students’ well-being and development.

A Deep Engagement Process

We interviewed teachers to understand how young children currently use the space and what they envisioned, and consolidated their feedback into a vision mood board of example equipment.

We also reached out to parents and stakeholders through listserves and email communications, circulated a survey, and had great conversations at back to school night.

A few of the top things we heard were

    • A need for a new fence and lockable gate are needed to ensure student safety, privacy, and protection of the playground investment.

    • Large shade sails or integrated shade panels over play equipment.

    • Softer surfacing — replace the asphalt with a soft, tiled rubber surface to improve safety and make the entire
      lot usable for safe play.

    • Because students have a wide range of developmental stages and special needs, the playground design should incorporate a variety of levels of exploration and risk, including sensory panels, low sculptural structures that are safe to climb.

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The Vision: Create a variety of interactive, social, and creative play options!

We envisioned a colorful, welcoming tot-lot that balances active play with calming rest areas and open space. The design includes playful paths, flexible equipment for different ages and abilities, and clear sightlines through-out. Bordering walls become opportunities for chalk art, murals, or climbing, while a shaded southeast corner provides space for outdoor classrooms and group activities.

We provided concept renderings, inspiration images of similar spaces, and lists of recommended play equipment as tools for bringing this dream to life!

Last Updated November 2025

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