: : Sherwood Forest

Sherwood Forest

A small woodlot at the corner of the Sherwood Event Center transformed into a forest play space rich with activity. Following up on a successful Green Playces build at their Wilkinsburg facility, Hosanna House asked Grounded Strategies to reimagine the underutilized wooded area of their camp and event property in Forest Hills. A rope swing, cargo net and platform had been previously built by Pittsburgh Job Corps and were very popular with summer campers. Grounded worked closely with staff to expand the play elements to include a low-ropes course, mud kitchen, and shelter, shaded outdoor classroom, dry stream, and campfire ring. Grounded staff completed the construction with help from several volunteer groups including youth from Allegheny’s County’s CISP program, Starbucks, Pittsburgh Job Corps, and Hosanna House.

In addition to volunteer labor, several other factors allowed Hosanna House to enjoy a big impact with a small budget. Utilizing Grounded’s in-house design/build team allowed for an efficient transformation from vision to reality. Grounded’s experience in using of inexpensive materials stretched each dollar. Timbers from the site were used for benches, balance beams, and tight-rope walks. Other items such as a stone countertop and sink with rescued from Construction Junction. A project that was only an idea in the spring of, is already being enjoyed by the summer campers.