In partnership with Asheville City Schools, Asheville City Schools Foundation, Equinox Environmental, and the Yale Club of WNC, ADC is working to create an outdoor experiential learning environment on the campus of Hall Fletcher Elementary School. The learning center will reflect the Math, Science & Technology theme of HFE, helping translate classroom curriculum into outdoor educational experiences that will encourage enthusiasm through creative learning.

ADC will continually engage students, parents, faculty and neighbors from design to construction to routine maintenance. Outreach already shows the HFE community wants an outdoor classroom, sensory elements, a nature trail, butterfly gardens, and areas for reflection and observing nature. We plan to work with the AVL Community Design Lab to engage students after-school in the creation of the outdoor classrooms, teaching students about the Guastavino vaulting technique and creating tiles for the structure. Play equipment installation and landscaping will provide employment opportunities through a partnership with Green Opportunities’ Labor Crew program, which trains residents from surrounding neighborhoods and imparts marketable skills for future employment.