Clayground

A Clayground Built by Community, From the Earth

Imagine a playground sculpted from the earth itself and built by local families, artists, youth, and community members using ancestral building techniques passed down through generations.

The Clayground is an exciting new community project taking shape at Tucson Village Farm. Through a series of hands-on workshops, participants of all ages will learn natural building techniques while helping create a one-of-a-kind sculptural playground made from adobe, cob, and natural plasters.

When complete, the Clayground will feature eight interactive earthen play structures designed to inspire creativity, exploration, and connection. More than a playground, it will serve as a living classroom where visitors can experience sustainable building practices, connect with the natural world, and discover the possibilities of creating with local materials.

Building More Than a Playground

The Clayground is rooted in the belief that people, especially young people, benefit from meaningful opportunities to connect with the earth, each other, and themselves.

Throughout the project, community members will work side-by-side with artists, educators, and neighbors to learn hands-on skills while contributing to a permanent public space. Participants will gain experience with natural building techniques, explore sustainable construction practices, and help create something that will serve the community for years to come.

Why It Matters

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Each year, more than 20,000 people visit Tucson Village Farm to connect with food, agriculture, outdoor learning, and community. The Clayground will expand that impact by providing a creative and educational environment where visitors can engage with sustainable building practices while enjoying open-ended play and exploration.

The project demonstrates how local natural resources can be transformed into something beautiful, functional, and lasting. It invites children and adults alike to touch the earth, shape it, and better understand the materials that surround them.

In a time when many people feel increasingly disconnected from nature and one another, the Clayground offers an opportunity to build, learn, play, and belong together.

Project Milestones

The Clayground builds upon the success of an earlier earthen-building project completed at Tucson Village Farm in early 2026.

During eight community workshops, more than 70 participants came together to construct a nine-foot earthen birdhouse designed to support native bird habitat. The project demonstrated the power of community-built spaces and introduced participants to the possibilities of natural construction.

Now, the next phase begins: creating a permanent Clayground that will inspire generations of visitors.

Get Involved

Construction begins this fall, and community workshops will be announced soon. Stay in the loop by following the project on social media @clayground.project or subscribe to the TVF newsletter. 

Community members can support the project by participating in workshops, sponsoring a structure, making a donation, or simply spreading the word.

Donations make this project possible: 

Donate Here!

Together, we are building something that will last, not just in clay, but in community.