Play Yards
At St. Mark's, our outdoor play yards are vital open-air extensions of our classrooms. To safely and intentionally support children right where they are developmentally, our beautiful campus features four distinct play yards, each uniquely designed to nurture growing minds and bodies. From navigating sensory landscapes and building together in the fresh air to running, climbing, and exploring the natural world, our outdoor space is where lifelong friendships take root and natural curiosity thrives. Here, children are empowered to play, discover, and learn at their own pace. Through every scraped knee avoided, every shared discovery, and every moment of muddy, creative wonder, they are building confidence, trust, and a deep sense of community.
Where Joy, Wonder, & Discovery Meet
North Play Yard
Foxtail, Dandelion, and Kindergarten Classes (3.5-5 yrs old)
Built for big ideas, high energy, and expanding capabilities, our largest yard serves as an expansive outdoor laboratory for our oldest students. Here, children from our Foxtail, Dandelion, and Kindergarten classes
come together to scale climbing structures, navigate physical challenges, and collaborate on grand building projects in the fresh air. This vibrant space empowers them to test their boundaries, take calculated risks, and practice authentic leadership and community-building.
South Play Yard
Thistle & Clover Classes (28-36 months)
For our older preschoolers in the Thistle and Clover classes, play becomes wonderfully social and deeply imaginative. This yard is specifically designed to inspire emerging friendships and cooperative games. Filled with opportunities for creative problem-solving and shared play, it is where children learn the joy of listening, sharing, and building a community together.
Chicory Play Yard
Chicory Class (18-28 months)
As children enter the dynamic world of early toddlerhood, their play shifts toward independent exploration and side-by-side "parallel" play. This yard offers open-ended materials that spark curiosity, encourage language development, and allow children to make choices that build confidence and coordination.
Violet Play Yard
Violet Class (9-18 months)
Designed for our youngest learners, this protected, peaceful space emphasizes safe, tactile, and sensory-rich exploration. Here, infants and toddlers are free to crawl, balance, and discover the natural world at their own pace—building foundational motor skills and a secure sense of trust in their surroundings.
📸 Photos on this page by Lisa Thompson 📸