New Playgrounds - Germantown Academy

Germantown Academy Unveils Plan for New Lower School Playgrounds

May 2, 2025

The Lower School playgrounds have been a source of joy for generations of children at Germantown Academy. After decades of fun, the current structures, some of which were built in 2009 by dedicated community members and made possible by donors from the Class of 1984, have unfortunately reached the end of their lifespan.

“After many years of dreaming and planning, I am thrilled to announce that comprehensive plans for new Lower School playgrounds will go from concept to reality this summer,” shared Head of School Rich Schellhas 1760. “The new spaces, made possible through inspiring philanthropic leadership from a small number of GA families, will have an enormous impact on our youngest learners in PreK through our oldest in 5th Grade. Groundbreaking on this largest of the Lower School learning environments will begin immediately following graduation this June. In conjunction with the playgrounds project, GA will also be constructing an Early Childhood Preschool, appropriately named The Sapling School, to better serve our budding 2- and 3-year-old learners.”

*The design rendering of the PreK and Kindergarten Playground features a Slide Tower Treehouse, basket swings, a mud kitchen, play cottages, and a track that circles the playground.*

*The design rendering of the 1st through 5th Grade Playscape, viewed from outside the lower level of McLean Hall, includes dual zip lines, gaga pits, and parkour climbing structures.*

The design rendering of the 1st through 5th Grade Play Structure features the Cliff Rider Treehouse, which includes elements of "risky" and "woo" play, where a child uses their body weight to transfer from one side to another.

“Play is more than fun; it’s how children explore, connect, take appropriate risks, and begin to make sense of their world,” said Head of Lower School Sue Szczepkowski. “This playground is the result of a true community-wide creative effort. Faculty brought insights from site visits across the country, and our Lower School students contributed their imaginative ideas during Design Days. Together, we envisioned a space where glee, discovery, connection, and growth come to life.”

Throughout the multi-year, nature-inspired design process, GA partnered with Philadelphia-based, nationally recognized playground architect Studio Ludo—a nonprofit whose mission is to build better play through research, innovation, and advocacy. The new playgrounds will be environmentally responsible, offer high play value with double the number of features, and incorporate existing and new trees, native plantings, and rain gardens to assist with stormwater management. Play features will include treehouses and cottages, zip lines, gaga ball pits, bucket swings, slides, sand and mud kitchens, dye gardens, an amphitheater, and much more.

At Germantown Academy, fostering lifelong learning through play and prioritizing physical well-being are not just guiding principles, they are fundamental to our mission and legacy. These new spaces represent more than just a place to play; they reflect a community-wide investment in the happy, balanced, active, collaborative, and resilient Patriots we are raising for the future!