Posted:
3/26/2026 |
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Date: March 26, 2026
Contact: Missouri Botanical Garden Public Relations Dept.
Phone: (314) 577-0286 office (media use only)
Email: cmartin@mobot.org (media use only)
For Immediate Release
New Nature-based Playscape Unveiled at Julia Goldstein Early Childhood Education Center
Vibrant outdoor play resource developed by Missouri Botanical Garden, funded by
the PNC Foundation
(ST. LOUIS) The seeds that were planted in April 2024 with a $75,000 grant from the PNC Foundation to Missouri Botanical Garden are now blooming at the School District of University City’s Julia Goldstein Early Childhood Education Center, with the completion of the Center’s new outdoor play and learning environment.
The multi-sensory playscape, designed by the Garden’s education team with student input, features a native grass garden and bridges inspired by the Garden’s grounds. Interactive elements include a climbing area that complements the natural topography of the terrain, mud kitchens, market stands, a caterpillar-shaped tunnel, musical play elements, reading areas, walking paths and areas for water play.
“Outdoor play is integral to helping children cultivate connections with people, plants and the environment,” said Sean Doherty, vice president of Education for Missouri Botanical Garden. “As a facilitator of nature-based learning and educational outreach, we are grateful for the opportunity to bring the Garden’s expertise and resources to local students and educators through the creation of this nature-based playscape.”
In addition to developing the outdoor play area, the Garden has leveraged its educator professional development and curriculum enrichment capabilities to empower the Center to incorporate nature-based STEM concepts into daily teaching practices.
“Our educators are committed to providing students with a learning environment that fosters intellectual, physical and social-emotional growth, and this new outdoor play and learning resource augments these efforts,” said Crystal Cauley, principal of Julia Goldstein Early Childhood Education Center. “This playscape will have a lasting and meaningful impact for years to come and demonstrates what is possible when multiple stakeholders come together with a shared vision and commitment to helping young children thrive.”
The outdoor play and learning environment at Julia Goldstein Early Childhood Education Center is one of more than 60 nature-based playscapes created or enhanced with the PNC Foundation’s support in connection with the 20th anniversary of PNC Grow Up Great®, PNC’s early childhood education initiative.
“All of us at PNC are committed to planting the seeds for a lifetime of opportunities through our support of programs, resources and experiences designed to help prepare children from birth to age 5 for success in school and life,” said Matt Corcoran, PNC regional president for St. Louis. “Our support for the new outdoor play and learning environment at Julia Goldstein Early Childhood Education Center beautifully illustrates how this commitment comes to life in the Greater St. Louis region.”
The PNC Foundation’s pronounced focus on outdoor learning has been informed by PNC-funded research by the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER), which showed nearly half of children ages 3-5 were playing outside less than once a day, as well as a NIEER literature review suggesting pre-K programs conducted in nature-based settings can promote improved learning and development.
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The PNC Foundation, which receives its principal funding from The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC), actively supports organizations that provide services for the benefit of communities in which it has a significant presence. The Foundation focuses its philanthropic mission on early childhood education and community and economic development, which includes the arts and culture. Through PNC Grow Up Great®, its signature cause that began in 2004, PNC has created a bilingual $500 million, multi-year initiative to help prepare children from birth to age 5 for success in school and life. For more information, visit http://www.pncgrowupgreat.com.
The Missouri Botanical Garden’s mission is “to discover and share knowledge about plants and their environment in order to preserve and enrich life.” Today, 167 years after opening, the Missouri Botanical Garden is a National Historic Landmark and a center for science, conservation, education and horticultural display.