A building that brings the little ones closer to nature

When we were small, we were so much closer to the ground. Remember studying granular anthills, veiny leaves and mottled pebbles? Or hugging the base of a tree, and how that rough bark felt under your soft, pudgy fingers? Those shiny, formative years, when absolutely everything was new, may be long gone for us, but there are ways we can enhance those years for the little ones in our lives now.

While the tall cedars and Douglas firs on Acadia Road near the University of British Columbia campus have likely stood for hundreds of years, two Douglas firs have become joyfully encircled by colourful, artificial surfacing. Less than two weeks ago, CEFA (Core Education and Fine Arts) Early Learning’s 50th school celebrated its grand opening in a bright 11,900-square-foot building while welcoming the two elderly trees into its adjoining 7,000-sq.-ft. playground.