At Valley School of Ligonier, some of the most meaningful learning happens beyond the walls of a classroom. It happens when a child looks up into a canopy of trees, feels a bridge move beneath their feet, discovers something unexpected in nature, or shares a moment of laughter with a friend.

Those experiences inspired the groundbreaking of the Paul G. Benedum, Jr. Nature Playground, an exciting addition to our campus that will bring outdoor exploration, hands-on learning, and meaningful opportunities for connection to generations of students.

The groundbreaking ceremony brought together representatives from the foundations who funded the new learning space, along with members of Valley School’s Board of Trustees and Head of School, Dr. Jonathan Strecker. The gathering marked not only the beginning of a construction project, but also the celebration of a legacy rooted in educational opportunity, a love of children, and a belief in the lasting good that one person can inspire.

Honoring A Legacy

The playground bears the name of the late Paul G. Benedum, Jr., affectionately known to his closest friends as “Benny.” Mr. Benedum was Valley School’s second Founders’ Day Honored Guest and became part of the school’s history through his longstanding connection to its community.

His legacy also extends through decades of philanthropic service. As the longest-serving chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, Mr. Benedum championed the idea that quality education could transform lives and create a ripple effect of positive change throughout families, communities, and society.

Mike Higgins, a lifelong friend of Mr. Benedum, reflected on the significance of the project and the person it honors. “He would be so honored with what we’re doing today to commemorate his legacy and all that he did,” Higgins shared. “He loved children. Mr. Benedum would love this playground. I feel like he’s here with us today.”

Jen Giovannitti, President of the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, also reflected on Mr. Benedum’s enduring influence. She remembered his deep faith, his joy in all things living, and his playful, sometimes ornery personality—a spirit that reminded those around him to have fun and believe in their work.

Giovannitti expressed appreciation for Valley School and its efforts to create a space that reflects the values Mr. Benedum held dear. She believes the project represents everything he would have wanted for children.

Those reflections capture the spirit behind the playground. While the structure will provide students with opportunities for movement, discovery, and outdoor learning, its deeper purpose is to create a place where children can thrive—and where the legacy of a man who cared deeply about their futures will remain part of their everyday experiences.

Designed with Nature

The Paul G. Benedum, Jr. Nature Playground is being designed and built by Buffalo Treehouse, a team specializing in imaginative treehouse and nature-based structures. The project will incorporate the natural beauty of Valley School’s 400+ acre wooded campus, creating a learning environment that works with the landscape rather than simply placing a playground within it.

Plans include a treehouse classroom, decks, more than 1,000 square feet of elevated walkways, accessible ramps and landings, a suspension bridge, climbing nets, monkey bars, and a 75-foot zip line. A bell-tower cupola will rise among the trees, while the structure will complement the hillside near the school’s iconic water wheel.

Accessibility and safety are important considerations in the design. The walkways, ramps, and landings will provide routes through the space, while the construction team is putting procedures in place to create a safe environment for children. The pressure-treated lumber will be left natural, allowing the structure to complement its surroundings.

Equally important, no trees will be cut down as part of the playground’s construction. Some portions of the treehouse will be anchored to trees within the grove, integrating the structure into the living landscape.

For Lorne Kostuk, project manager for Buffalo Treehouse, the project offers an opportunity to bring joy to children while exploring a new dimension of outdoor education.

“Our goal is to bring as much joy as possible to people’s lives through building these treehouses,” Kostuk explained. He noted that this is the company’s first playground designed specifically as a learning space at a school.

Kostuk also shared an unexpected observation from the team’s work among trees: trees surrounding previous projects have sometimes flourished, developing fuller canopies after construction. He offered this as a reminder of the reciprocal relationship between people and nature—trees provide oxygen and support life, while the energy and excitement surrounding these structures can create a renewed appreciation for the living environment.

It is a fitting reflection for a school that sees nature not merely as a backdrop, but as an essential part of a child’s learning experience.

Bringing the Valley Core Values to Life

At Valley School, the nature playground will be more than a place for recreation. It will create opportunities for students and teachers to put the school’s four Core Values—Cultivate Wellness, Embrace Integrity, Seek Wisdom, and Build Community—into practice in an environment filled with discovery and possibility.

Cultivate Wellness

Movement, outdoor exploration, and time spent in nature will give students new ways to strengthen both body and mind. Navigating elevated walkways, climbing structures, and bridges will challenge students physically while helping them build confidence, persistence, and an appreciation for active living.

The outdoor setting will also offer a change of pace from the traditional classroom, providing opportunities to recharge, experience the natural world, and support emotional well-being. Through these experiences, students can develop healthy habits that extend well beyond their school years.

Embrace Integrity

The playground will offer everyday opportunities to practice responsibility, respect, and perseverance. Students will learn to navigate physical challenges thoughtfully, take turns, support classmates, and care for the space they share.

Teachers can use these moments to encourage students to make sound decisions, demonstrate consideration for others, and recognize the importance of caring for the natural environment. In this way, integrity becomes more than a concept discussed in class; it becomes a habit practiced through daily interactions.

Seek Wisdom

The natural world invites questions. Why do trees grow the way they do? What can we observe in the changing seasons? How does a bridge respond to movement? What can careful observation reveal about the environment?

The treehouse classroom and elevated walkways will give teachers new ways to encourage inquiry, observation, and hands-on investigation. Students will be able to explore concepts through direct experience, make connections across subjects, and develop the curiosity and critical-thinking skills that support lifelong learning.

By learning among the trees, students will have opportunities to discover that wisdom grows not only through books and lessons, but also through asking questions, testing ideas, and paying attention to the world around them.

Build Community

The playground will also create a shared space where students and teachers can learn alongside one another in new ways. Whether students work together during an outdoor lesson, encourage a classmate across a suspension bridge, or celebrate a shared discovery, these experiences can strengthen relationships and foster a sense of belonging.

The challenges and joys of exploring together will help students practice teamwork, empathy, and encouragement. Over time, these shared experiences will become part of the memories and relationships that define the Valley School community.

An Investment in Generations to Come

One of the privileges of leading Valley School, Dr. Strecker has observed, is the opportunity to work in two time frames at once: caring for the children who attend today while building for the children who have not yet arrived.

The Paul G. Benedum, Jr. Nature Playground embodies that commitment. Its impact will be felt not only in the years immediately following construction, but also in the experiences of future Valley students who will learn, play, and grow among its trees. The project reflects the school’s enduring belief that education reaches far beyond academic achievement. It shapes how children care for themselves, relate to others, understand the world, and contribute to the communities they will one day lead.

The playground’s legacy will be found in the countless small moments it makes possible: every pathway climbed, every bridge crossed, every question asked, every challenge met, and every burst of laughter shared among the trees.

Through the generosity and vision of the two foundations, the commitment of our Board of Trustees, and the creativity of Buffalo Treehouse, this new space will honor Mr. Paul G. Benedum, Jr. in a particularly meaningful way—not simply by preserving his name, but by making his legacy part of the daily experience of generations of children.

At Valley School, that is what it means to build for the future: creating a place where wonder, movement, imagination, friendship, and discovery can flourish—and where the seeds of a lasting legacy can continue to grow.

To read about a local newspaper’s coverage of the groundbreaking ceremony, please click here: https://www.latrobebulletinnews.com/news/designed-with-nature-in-mind-valley-school-of-ligonier-hosts-groundbreaking-ceremony-for-new-play/article_fd16db9c-7bae-4095-a0b7-cc8881dd8afa.html