The University of Alabama's RISE Center Play Yard

Founded in 1974, the RISE Program at The University of Alabama is a nationally recognized early childhood education and intervention program serving infants, toddlers, and preschoolers with varying abilities alongside traditional learners. Through its unique blend of education, therapy, research, and family support, RISE serves nearly 100 children and their families each year.

HNP Landscape Architecture supported this mission through renovations to the RISE outdoor play environment, transforming the playground into three dedicated outdoor learning spaces for infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children. Phase 1 focused on the infant and toddler play yards, creating safer, developmentally responsive environments for exploration, sensory play, and social interaction. The redesigned spaces include interactive play elements, enhanced fall protection, and increased shade coverage through built-in canopies, shade sails, and preservation of existing trees. Canopies also provide a frame for removable swings.

Safety improvements included new fall-protection surfacing, impact mats beneath vertical structures, padded shade sail posts, and a Matta surfacing system in the infant yard to provide additional cushioning over concrete. The sensory-focused design encourages movement, discovery, and imaginative play with features such as a sand pit, varied surface textures, hillside slide with shade sail, and water jug filling station that leads to a dry creek bed and mud kitchen. The Kompan Sunflower Swings quickly became a favorite feature in the toddler yard. Natural materials were central to the design, including recycled composite decking to reduce surface temperatures and cedar as a non-toxic wood option. ADA-accessible ramps and wide pathways improve mobility, while boulders and tree stumps throughout the toddler yard support climbing and creative play.

The next phase of enhancements will take place in the preschool yard later this year, further advancing RISE’s commitment to inclusive, high-quality early childhood education. We are proud to contribute to a program that has enriched the lives of children and families for more than 50 years and continues to set the standard for inclusive early childhood development.