Exploration starts here
Jay Cooke Elementary School
As part of the Literacy Rich Neighborhoods Initiative, this project transformed a vacant lot beside Jay Cooke Elementary School into a Serengeti-themed outdoor play and learning space for students and neighborhood residents. Designed around exploration and discovery, the site features three distinct zones: a reading area, a central active play area with a chalkboard, and a hilltop zone with additional play elements. Large animal and bird cutouts, an archaeological sandbox, and interactive signage invite children to measure, practice math, run, jump, and build language skills through play. Native plantings, areas for rest, and a Little Free Library create balance, blending active learning with relaxation and connection to nature. Built with the participation of students, the space fosters both playful learning and a sense of ownership and pride within the school community.
The Learning Goals
The Logan Nook of Discovery helps children build content knowledge through interactive prompts that connect play with math, measurement, language, and storytelling. Large animal and bird cutouts, an archaeological sandbox, and playful signage encourage students to explore academic concepts in ways that feel fun and natural. The space also fosters confidence, as students navigate challenges, share discoveries, and take ownership of a play area they helped create. This sense of pride strengthens both learning and community connection, showing children that their voices and efforts can shape the spaces around them.
The Team
The Logan Nook of Discovery was created through a collaboration between the Indochinese American Council, Playful Learning Landscapes, Jay Cooke Elementary staff and students, the School District of Philadelphia, and TinyWPA.
Supporters
The Logan Nook of Discovery was generously supported by the William Penn Foundation, whose investment in the Literacy Rich Neighborhoods Initiative made this installation possible.
