Save the Planet

Team Burns & Mac and Spaces Inc. Volunteers!

The Burns & McDonnell and Spaces team worked for Operation Breakthrough to plant the seeds of an engaging and nourishing outdoor space for urban youth. The vision is a natural, restorative oasis amidst the asphalt jungle of the city's urban core. The Outdoor Classroom will be a safe place where children can immerse their senses in natural surroundings.

Our plans for the outdoor classroom

Throughout the month of April over 50 volunteers came together to produce a site layout, build a fence out of recycled doors, and start laying the groundwork for an outdoor oasis for the children of Operation Breakthrough. Burns & McDonnell and Spaces worked closely with Operation Breakthrough to develop a vision for the site. The site plan includes features to stimulate all of the senses. A vegetable garden, a sound garden, butterfly garden, toddler area, rain garden, and a center stage are just a few features of the site plan. Each piece can be completed individually as more volunteers and supporters come on board.

The fence is the most important piece of the site as it provides a safe barrier from the outside world. In an effort to use recycled materials the fence was constructed of discarded doors. Seldom Found Architecturals donated 100 beautiful used doors. Turner Construction provided skilled labor by digging all of the post holes. Paint was provided by Habitat For Humanity, Kansas City Restore. Volunteers worked during three Saturdays to wash and paint each door, place each post, and hang the doors.

Here's a section of the final product: