Mesa Oasis
Thank you to our amazing Mesa community for helping us transform the old front garden beds into a new multi-purpose space, the Mesa Oasis!
Completion of the Mesa Oasis is scheduled for the end of June! We will install sustainable ground cover (partial turf and compacted gravel) to the muddy, dirt areas surrounding the new tables and pergola. Large boulder rocks and stumps will be added as well as an outdoor mural by a local artist. If you purchased a plaque, look for those to be installed over the summer!
Funds raised from this year’s Fun Run helped us finish this project, in addition to funds from the PTO and generous donations from Just Turf Colorado and Pioneer Landscape Center. Please consider these companies for your future projects!
Reimagining this space was truly a collaborative effort. Mesa leadership and staff were in strong support of redesigning the outdoor space and our own 4th graders (from 2023) were consulted to get their ideas and feedback. CU environmental design students and the City of Boulder were also involved in the planning of this project. We are excited Mesa is now aligned with the BVSD’s 2026 initiative to “have green schoolyards and outdoor learning space.”
We are grateful for everyone’s help in transforming this space and hope students, teachers, and the community will enjoy eating lunch under the trees, holding class outside, and having a space to gather and meet.
Completion of the Mesa Oasis is scheduled for the end of June! We will install sustainable ground cover (partial turf and compacted gravel) to the muddy, dirt areas surrounding the new tables and pergola. Large boulder rocks and stumps will be added as well as an outdoor mural by a local artist. If you purchased a plaque, look for those to be installed over the summer!
Funds raised from this year’s Fun Run helped us finish this project, in addition to funds from the PTO and generous donations from Just Turf Colorado and Pioneer Landscape Center. Please consider these companies for your future projects!
Reimagining this space was truly a collaborative effort. Mesa leadership and staff were in strong support of redesigning the outdoor space and our own 4th graders (from 2023) were consulted to get their ideas and feedback. CU environmental design students and the City of Boulder were also involved in the planning of this project. We are excited Mesa is now aligned with the BVSD’s 2026 initiative to “have green schoolyards and outdoor learning space.”
We are grateful for everyone’s help in transforming this space and hope students, teachers, and the community will enjoy eating lunch under the trees, holding class outside, and having a space to gather and meet.
Mesa Oasis Project Breakdown
- February 2023: At the PTO meeting, the budget was thoroughly reviewed and there was discussion regarding a one-time surplus of money to spend (per PTO bylaws) from conservatively holding funds during pandemic years. After paraprofessionals were fully funded for 2023-2024 school year through the Mesa Thrives campaign and teacher requests were met and funded, the idea of Mesa Oasis was proposed. A feasibility assessment for Mesa Oasis was voted on and approved.
- February-May 2023: Ideas, design, and costs were researched for the Mesa Oasis feasibility assessment and updated at each PTO meeting. This idea was fully supported by Mesa leadership and staff.
- May 2023: During the May PTO meeting, a vote was held to pursue the redesign of the old, front garden bed space. Phase 1 of the project was approved which included clearing the area and hardscaping (concrete pathways).
- September 2023: Concrete was installed for $21k. At the September PTO meeting, a vote was held to approve Phase 2, installing tables.
- November 2023: Eight tables were installed, providing seating for 64, costing $9300.
- February 2024: At this PTO meeting, ground cover quotes were presented; one for full turf and one for compacted crushed rock. A vote was taken and approved to use funds raised from Fun Run to go towards the Oasis ground cover.
- May 2024: Donations from Fun Run totaled $9350. Just Turf Colorado gave Mesa a significant discount of $6,500k and Pioneer Landscaping Center donated large boulder rocks and breeze (compacted gravel).
- June 2024: Sustainable ground cover (including partial turf and compacted gravel), boulders, stumps, and plaques will be installed by end of June to complete the Mesa Oasis.
Mesa Oasis Vision and Story
The “Mesa Oasis” is an approximately 100’ x 50’ flat area on the northeast side of Mesa Elementary School adjacent to the cafeteria. During COVID, Mr. Andy, our beloved custodian, started dragging the lunch tables outside every day so that the students could safely remove their masks and eat lunch. It was a brilliant move. The students stayed healthy, and the extra dose of fresh air and sunshine noticeably lifted their moods. When COVID protocols ended, the students were very vocal about their desire to continue eating lunch outside. This prompted the Mesa PTO to reimagine the then-fallow plot of land as a permanent multi-purpose outdoor space. The pictures show the condition of the dirt (often muddy) “lawn” before breaking ground on the Mesa Oasis project. Before we broke ground on the Mesa Oasis project in November of 2023, PTO members met with a brilliant assortment of community members with expertise in City Planning, Sustainability and Energy, Environmental Design, Science Education, and Community Art Installation. Everyone wholeheartedly supported the idea and contributed their time to developing a vision that would incorporate space for the students to eat, learn, create, play, imagine, and feel safe and welcome. |
Teachers, students, and caregivers were then invited to offer feedback and contribute their ideas to the project. The response was overwhelmingly positive and supportive. Teachers were excited about the innovative teaching opportunities that a multi-purpose space like the Oasis would afford them. Students were enthusiastic about the possibility of learning in an environment that encourages them to feel more embodied, curious, and engaged. Parents appreciated the positive physical and mental health benefits of spending more time in nature and were happy to imagine a more comfortable place to gather during drop-off and pick-up.
Ultimately, a design was chosen that aligns with BVSD’s 2026 initiative to create “green schoolyards and outdoor learning spaces.” The vision incorporates the dispersed placement of eight round tables to provide ample seating for eating, learning, and community gatherings. Sustainable ground cover was chosen with minimal cost and maintenance in mind. Tree stumps, logs, and rocks will be grouped throughout the space to stimulate the senses and the imagination and provide natural seating and boundaries. The pergola will be enhanced to include enough seating for an individual class to enjoy a group lesson outside.
To complete the vision and create a true “Oasis vibe” we plan to decorate the space with vibrant, playful art and conscious messaging designed to evoke the Mesa community values: Respect, Responsibility, Safety, and Kindness. We have applied for and hope to receive a grant from the Boulder Arts Commission to hire Streetwise to paint a mural on the brick outer wall of the cafeteria. In addition, our wonderful art teacher, Taylor Bale, plans to help students beautify the grounds with painted rocks, birdhouses, and sculptures.
Ultimately, a design was chosen that aligns with BVSD’s 2026 initiative to create “green schoolyards and outdoor learning spaces.” The vision incorporates the dispersed placement of eight round tables to provide ample seating for eating, learning, and community gatherings. Sustainable ground cover was chosen with minimal cost and maintenance in mind. Tree stumps, logs, and rocks will be grouped throughout the space to stimulate the senses and the imagination and provide natural seating and boundaries. The pergola will be enhanced to include enough seating for an individual class to enjoy a group lesson outside.
To complete the vision and create a true “Oasis vibe” we plan to decorate the space with vibrant, playful art and conscious messaging designed to evoke the Mesa community values: Respect, Responsibility, Safety, and Kindness. We have applied for and hope to receive a grant from the Boulder Arts Commission to hire Streetwise to paint a mural on the brick outer wall of the cafeteria. In addition, our wonderful art teacher, Taylor Bale, plans to help students beautify the grounds with painted rocks, birdhouses, and sculptures.