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Heritage Park - April 2002
Community Learning Center
Raleigh, North Carolina, USA

The aim of this project is to provide a high quality learning environment for everyone at Heritage Park, public housing community in Raleigh, North Carolina, where the Community Learning Center (CLC) provides educational and recreational activities for children K-8. The outdoor area adjacent to the CLC building will be transformed into a carefully planned, educational and recreational site for enjoyment of all ages.

The project is sponsored by the Junior League of Raleigh . The Natural learning Initiative is working with them to develop the design program through a series of community participation workshops with residents, sponsors, and children.

The purpose of the project is to:

• Enhance the quality of life of the children living in Heritage Park.
• Provide playing and learning opportunities to support their healthy development.
• Create environments that improve professional effectiveness of the CLC staff.
• Support community development and identity by creating outdoor spaces that reflect the cultural values of the residents of Heritage Park.

Stakeholder's Meeting - April 11, 2002
Community members, Junior League volunteers, Raleigh Housing Authority representatives, and NLI team meet for the first stakeholder's workshop.

Proposed Site
The group evaluates the area that will become part of the designed site.

Children's Workshop
Site Safari
The workshop with the younger residents of Heritage Park on April 13 included a more strenuous investigation of the wooded portion of the site.

Back in the community center
After the site safari the children brainstorm what settings they would like to see in their site. The models show their ideas..

Presentation
With much excitement and enthusiasm, the student  representatives presented their team designs to the workshop participants and NLI team members.

Students and Designs
Group designing with NLI team member.