Facilities

The eight acres of the Outdoor Classroom is an area providing protection for plant and animal species within city limits and is part of the Rothman Open Space in the heart of Lafayette. It serves as an environmental learning center for the entire community and is open to the public for use. 

Once used for farming, numerous restoration and enhancement projects have improved the wetland meadow, prairie, and woodland areas. Since 2001, the Outdoor Classroom has been a National Wildlife Federation Schoolyard Habitat thanks in part to the hard work of students at nearby Pioneer Elementary School. The Outdoor Classroom also serves as a venue for outdoor education programming.

Currently, the Outdoor Classroom is under construction to further enhance the Open Space. The new additions include five education stations, focused on the connections found in nature between humans: Sun, Water, Humans, Life and Rock, Air & Soil. Each station offers unique ways to interact with nature and will have interpretive signage to spark your curiosity. Construction is predicted to wrap up in late winter. 

Join us in unveiling the newly enhanced Outdoor Classroom on April 30, 2022. To visit the Outdoor Classroom, park at the Lafayette skatepark or Bob Burger Recreation Center and enter at the shelter located just north of the skatepark. View a map of the Outdoor Classroom Concept Design.