Elementary Sensory Pathway
Priorities: – Sensory Engagement – Child Safety – Nature Connection – Educational Experience
Challenges: – Maximizing Learning Potential – Utilizing Limited Space
Solutions: – Sensory Pathway Design – Natural Material Selection – Careful Element Placement – Native Plant Integration
Maas Verde partnered with Austin ISD to bring the district’s vision to life: creating the premier model for nature play in the United States. Our collaboration resulted in an innovative sensory pathway that redefines outdoor learning spaces for children. More than just a surface to run across, this pathway is designed to inspire observation and exploration through sight, touch, hearing, and smell. It transforms a simple walkway into an immersive educational environment that fosters a deep connection with nature.
Our approach goes beyond constructing a path. Each 3’x3′ section of the pathway offers a mini sensory adventure, incorporating materials like textured tree cookies, diverse rock and gravel arrangements, and native plants. Crunchy gravel, smooth and shiny stones, fragrant herbs, straight lines, and spirals combine to create a dynamic and interactive experience. These elements spark curiosity and invite hands-on exploration, making the sensory pathway a standout feature of the courtyard.
Safety was our top priority throughout the design process. Materials were carefully embedded to prevent shifting, non-irritating plants were selected, and the layout was designed to minimize tripping hazards. Every detail ensures children can explore freely and safely.
Sustainability was also key. By repurposing materials from the school and choosing native, low-water plants, we reduced waste and supported the local ecosystem. Surrounding garden beds further enhance the sensory experience, featuring fragrant and tactile plantings. Textural interest and “brush-by” fragrances extend the sensory engagement beyond the path itself. By favoring native species, we have taken the first step in ensuring that the plants are water wise and very tough – essential in a children’s play area!
This project is more than a landscape upgrade; it’s a model for interactive outdoor learning. By blending thoughtful design, educational intent, and ecological mindfulness, we’ve created a space where children can play, learn, and build lasting connections with nature. Maas Verde and Austin ISD are proud to offer a blueprint for schools looking to enrich outdoor education through sensory engagement.
Rain Garden & Side Yard Restoration Project
Priorities: – Drainage Resolution – Foundation Protection – Tree Root Safety – Ground Cover Establishment
Challenges: – Deck Area Pooling – Drainage Issues – Foundation-Level Soil – Mud-Prone Areas
Solutions: – Rain Garden Construction – Site Regrading – Paver Path Installation- Strategic Gravel Placement
This landscape renovation focused on transforming a water management challenge into a thriving ecosystem by creating a 200-square-foot rain garden. Designed to naturally filter and redirect water, the garden utilizes native plants and specialized soil layers to support local biodiversity while resolving drainage issues near the deck.
Sustainable soil management was a priority along the home’s east and north sides. Through strategic regrading, we established a natural water flow that safeguards both the foundation and local groundwater systems, reinforcing our commitment to working with nature rather than against it.
Emphasizing preservation, we repurposed existing limestone pavers into a permeable pathway surrounding the rain garden. This approach protected the mature oak trees’ critical root zones, minimized construction waste, and maintained natural water infiltration patterns.
The eastern section underwent a significant transformation, replacing bare, erosion-prone soil with a diverse mix of shade-tolerant native grasses and perennials. This resilient ecosystem now manages rainfall naturally while providing valuable wildlife habitat.
In the final phase, we replaced outdated gravel around the western deck with locally sourced, permeable granite aggregate. This choice ensures proper drainage, reduces environmental impact through lower transportation costs, and enhances water filtration.
This project highlights how ecological landscaping principles create resilient, sustainable solutions that harmonize with natural systems. The result is a balanced landscape that effectively manages water, protects structural elements, and enhances biodiversity—all while preserving existing natural features.
Travis Country Water-Wise Front Yard Transformation
Priorities: – Water Conservation – Elderly-Accessible Design – Stormwater Management – Native Plant Integration
Challenges: – Large Turf Area Removal – Drainage Issues – Accessibility Needs – Site Topography
Solutions: – Strategic Water Management – Accessible Pathways – Native Plant Selection – Functional Hardscaping
This residential transformation centered on two key objectives: creating a water-conscious landscape and ensuring accessibility for the elderly homeowner. The project qualified for the City of Austin’s WaterWise Landscape Rebate Program, demonstrating its alignment with local conservation initiatives.
The first major task involved removing 1,200 square feet of traditional turf, replacing it with a thoughtfully designed landscape that manages water more effectively. A carefully engineered swale system now captures and redirects water from downspouts, while strategically placed berms add visual interest and create optimal planting conditions.
Accessibility was paramount in the design. We installed a stabilized granite pathway, providing a secure route from the seating patio to the yard’s corner. This surface offers reliable footing while maintaining the natural aesthetic of the space.
To enhance the landscape’s functionality and visual appeal, we incorporated multiple hardscape elements. Custom steel edging creates a clean transition between the remaining grass and the transformed area. Carefully placed boulders serve dual purposes – as informal seating and as artistic elements that ground the design.
A dry creek bed serves as both a decorative feature and a functional drainage solution, directing water flow toward the side yard. The addition of juniper log edging around the mulched play area creates a natural boundary while complementing the overall design aesthetic.
The planting plan focused on shade-tolerant native species, selected for their ability to thrive in local conditions while requiring minimal water. These plants, combined with proper soil preparation and mulching, create a sustainable landscape that will mature beautifully while conserving water resources.
This transformation demonstrates how functional needs – water conservation, accessibility, and stormwater management – can be met while creating an aesthetically pleasing, sustainable landscape that serves both the homeowner and the environment.
