June 16, 2008 Vermont playground goes all-natural Play video

(NECN: Anya Huneke, Waterbury, VT) - In Waterbury, Vermont, you might say they are going back to the basics at one elementary school. Rather than using metal or plastic, the designers of the new Thatcher Brook School playground took a few hints from nature.

The playground has a brick labyrinth, a water garden and slides are built into a hillside so no one can fall and there's no need to climb a ladder to get on.

The rustic playground is viewed as a trendsetter.

The playground cost abut $120,000, about the same as a more typical playground.

Thatcher Brook Principal Donald Schneider says the natural playground encourages children to be more creative.

*Material from the Associated Press used in this report*