Libraries · Douglas County Libraries

Ranch Playscape

saddle up, little readers →

Ranch Playscape at the Castle Rock library

About this project

A ranch corner where imaginative play does the teaching — barn-styled nooks and farm props that spark early literacy through cognitive, physical, social, and emotional play.

Built for Douglas County Libraries’ Castle Rock branch, the Ranch Playscape uses a farm aesthetic to support early literacy: children step into pretend ranch life, and the reading follows naturally. A comprehensive design + build, in service since October 2023 — our first of several playscapes for the Douglas County Libraries system.

VerticalLibraries
ClientDouglas County Libraries
ServicesDesign + Fabrication
Location & yearCastle Rock, CO · 2023

What success looked like

Success was a children’s area that works like a ranch — imaginative play doing the heavy lifting for early literacy. The Rotary Club of Castle Rock signed on as sponsor, and DCL has since grown its playscape program district-wide — we came back to build three more in 2025.

“Our playscapes are an essential part of our approach to early literacy, using imaginative play to spark integrated cognitive, physical, social and emotional learning for young children.”

Gallery

Ranch Playscape — project photo 1
Ranch Playscape — project photo 2
Ranch Playscape — project photo 3
Ranch Playscape — project photo 4
Ranch Playscape — project photo 5
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