This acclaimed Children’s Center was a labor of love for the San Diego community in response to the safety and rehabilitative needs of abused children.
The County of San Diego, along with the Child Abuse Prevention Foundation and the Polinsky Foundation (major donors) supported the design effort of this state-of-the-art shelter and educational facility which sits on 20 acres.
Donations keep coming for the Donor Tile Program, the multipurpose ball field, memorial trees, specialty play equipment, and site furnishings.
The ‘campus-style’ landscape was designed to connect the children with the soothing qualities of nature. Large mature trees provide a shaded central ‘green’ with lunch patio and multi-use amphitheater.
A series of curved pathways form a scalloped pattern through the open meadow area. These paths lead to individual ‘age-appropriate’ cottages, each with their own private front and rear courtyards.
The campus includes numerous classrooms, a gymnasium, a 50-meter pool, tot lots, multi-purpose courts, central library, and large cafeteria. Durable material and thoughtful design features accommodate children with abusive tendencies.
The ‘park-like’ setting provides a sense of serenity and joy to children that have experienced an otherwise disrupted childhood.
