School Description
Located North of Washington Park at South Marion Parkway and Alameda, Steele was named in honor of Robert Wilbur Steele (1857-1910), a Colorado Supreme Court Justice and advocate for children. The original school house, built in 1913, was a small two story red brick structure of Neo Classical Design. In 1929 the building was enlarged and redesigned, with interior design elements of wood paneling and original art murals on the walls and ceilings. This beautifully preserved building is one of the finest examples of Art Deco style architecture in the state. Steele School was designated an Historical Landmark in 1995. The mosaic and stucco exterior is a reminder of its history as an important site of early Denver.
Learning Landscapes Description
Special emphasis is on science, gardening and interactive play with a science garden with a bridge, weather station, bird feeders, sundial, and a greenhouse and extensive cultivated school garden.
Steele Elementary School
Construction Date
January 2006
Landscape Architect
Davis Partnership
Play Equipment Vendor
Play World Systems
School Garden Sponsor
Denver Urban Gardens
Slow Food Denver
Community Garden
Master Plan
Vision
“In partnership with our community, Steele’s mission is to provide children with the skills, knowledge, and values necessary to become productive citizens in a dynamic and diverse society. We seek high academic achievement by providing a challenging environment and by fostering cooperation between students.”
Goals
- Improve age-appropriate and safe play opportunities.
- Further enhance hands-on learning through all the senses.
- Create opportunities to broaden cultural knowledge at a global level.
- Celebrate the historical significance of the school.
- Create sustainable landscapes that are low maintenance.
Construction Documentation
Illustrative Plan
Construction Drawings
Play Equipment
Shade Structure
Architect’s Illustrations