Two-year-old Gavin Harris and UMSL Chancellor Tom George cut the ribbon at the dedication of the new playground. 1 M B .jpg

The University Child Development Center at the University of Missouri-St. Louis dedicated a new Infant/Toddler Outdoor Learning Environment on Monday. The dedication was attended by several dozen UMSL officials, parents, teachers and students.

The new playground was completely designed by the staff of the center, said Lynn Navin, director of the center.

"We started looking at designs in June 2006," Navin said. "After gathering ideas we were able to create this design, which features nine different learning stations."

Funds for the new playground were provided by various sources including Ronald McDonald House Charity and Friends of the College of Education at UMSL, as well as four E. Desmond Lee Endowed Professorships. Those UMSL professorships belong to College of Education professors Philip Ferguson, James Shymansky, Wolfgang Althof and Marvin Berkowitz.

"About two years ago we started looking at alternatives to the existing playground," said Charles Schmitz, dean of the College of Education. "The old space had pea gravel, which isn't conducive to little knees, and after evaluating the equipment, it became clear we needed to do something. At that point, Lynn and her staff began designing the new learning center. And I must say, they've done a great job."

Visit http://www.umsl.edu/~kids/ or call (314) 516-5658 for more information about the University Child Development Center at UMSL.http://www.umsl.edu/~kids/

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