Fido Presents...

All Hands in the Dirt

A Forum on the Design and Programming of
Children’s Outdoor Spaces

November 11–12, 2011  |  Evergreen Brick Works, Toronto, Canada

With a focus on bridging the gap between design and programming, at this two-day forum you will:

• Choose from a selection of sessions on the design and programming of children’s spaces
• Be inspired as designers from Canada, the US and Germany share challenges and successes
• Work together in a facilitated session that will provide take-home learning based on concepts from the two-day event
• Explore Evergreen’s participatory design process
• Participate in outdoor classroom activities led by programmers and designers
• Tour Evergreen Brick Works and see firsthand some of the exciting programs and projects happening on site

Download the Forum Schedule for more details (PDF, 118 KB)

We are excited to welcome two keynote speakers to this year’s Forum.
For over a decade, Berlin native Birgit Teichmann has been a leader in landscape architecture through her work in ecological, educational and communal ventures in Europe. Now managing the firm of Teichmann Landschafts Architekten in Berlin, Birgit works with architects, city planners, gardeners, teachers and archaeologists to complete projects with care and unique professional flair. With two girls of her own, creating great ecological play areas for children has long been Birgit’s passion. Birgit will open the conference as keynote speaker and workshop leader.

Our second keynote speaker, Rusty Keeler, is an artist/designer who works with communities around the world to design and build natural play environments for children. He is the author of the book NATURAL PLAYSCAPES (Exchange Press: 2008) Rusty lives in the hills and woods outside of Ithaca, NY. For more information visit earthplay.net.

Who Should Attend?

• Landscape Architects, Architects, and Designers
• Children's Programmers
• Educators
• Early Childhood Educators
• School Board officials
• Facilities Administrators and Managers
• Municipal and Provincial Government staff
• Anyone working in a field related to programming and design of children's spaces!

Registration is limited. $325/person.

We have a limited number of discounted registrations available for teachers at schools in Toronto’s 13 priority neighbourhoods, and new teachers within 3 years of graduating from teacher’s college. Please contact Anne Dabrowski at the email address below if you are eligible for discounted admission.

For more information, contact Anne Dabrowski at adabrowski@evergreen.ca.