The devastating Eaton Fire not only destroyed homes and businesses in Altadena but also claimed a cherished community space: Village Play Garden Preschool. For families like Danielle Neal’s, this loss represents more than the physical destruction of a school—it marks the temporary disappearance of a nurturing environment that had been a safe haven for children.
Neal, a mother and fire survivor, is now spearheading efforts to rebuild the beloved nature-focused preschool, ensuring her son and other children can reclaim their sense of community.
A School Beyond Walls
Village Play Garden Preschool was unique in its mission, offering children an immersive, nature-focused educational experience.
The School’s Features
- Outdoor Classrooms: Learning spaces embraced the natural environment, fostering creativity and connection to nature.
- Farm Animals and Gardens: Children interacted with animals and helped cultivate gardens, learning about responsibility and sustainability.
- A Special Labyrinth: The children would walk and run through a spiral labyrinth, often stopping to pick strawberries from nearby bushes.
For families and staff, the school was more than an educational facility—it was a second home.
Geoff Ramsey-Ray, who spent 15 years transforming the school’s grounds, expressed the profound sense of loss:
“Fifteen years we spent building that from a very dilapidated two acres to an amazing school. Just devastating.”
A Parent’s Mission to Rebuild
Despite losing her own home in the Eaton Fire, Danielle Neal has remained determined to rebuild the school for her son and the community.
Why Rebuilding Matters
Neal emphasized the importance of stability for her child during a time of upheaval:
“As a parent, my focus is my child. If he has his community and his home base with his friends and teachers who nurture him so beautifully, I can handle anything else.”
Immediate Solutions
Neal, with the help of parents and community members, has already secured a temporary location in Arcadia where students can continue their education while rebuilding plans are developed.
Community Effort and Resilience
The Village Play Garden community has rallied around the school’s rebuilding effort, showing the strength and determination of Altadena residents.
- Parental Involvement: Parents have joined forces to locate resources, offer support, and maintain the sense of community the school fostered.
- Temporary Adaptations: Though the temporary space in Arcadia is different from the original school, teachers and staff are working hard to provide continuity and care for the children.
A Look Ahead: Rebuilding Plans
While the immediate focus is on providing stability, long-term plans are already in motion to rebuild Village Play Garden Preschool. Neal and other parents are exploring potential locations and resources to restore the school’s nature-based approach.
For many, the rebuilding process is about more than replacing buildings; it’s about restoring the heart of a community.
The loss of Village Play Garden Preschool is a poignant reminder of the far-reaching effects of wildfires like the Eaton Fire. Yet, through the determination of parents like Danielle Neal and the resilience of the Altadena community, there is hope for a brighter future.
Rebuilding the preschool means more than providing a learning space—it’s about reclaiming a sense of normalcy and connection for children and families. As efforts to restore the school move forward, the spirit of community shines as a beacon of strength amid tragedy.
