Tucson Nonprofit Transforms Land Into Sensory Oasis

Second Sky partners with international designers to create nature-inspired play space for local families.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 7:38pm

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a lush, flowering desert shrub repeated in a tight grid pattern, conceptually representing the natural elements of the Oasis for the Senses project.The vibrant, nature-inspired design of the Oasis for the Senses project aims to create a calming, therapeutic play space for children in Tucson's underserved South side.Tucson Today

A Tucson nonprofit called Second Sky is collaborating with a Netherlands-based nonprofit, Office for the New Earth (ONE), and local landscape architecture firm The Green Room to transform an undeveloped acre of land into an immersive, nature-inspired play space called Oasis for the Senses. The project, which is set to be completed in phases over the next two years, will feature rolling dunes, shade trees, water features, and fragrant plants to create a calming, sensory-rich environment for children in the South Tucson community.

Why it matters

The Oasis for the Senses project aims to provide a much-needed community resource in the underserved South Tucson area, offering a therapeutic, nature-based play space that promotes peace, calm, and connection with the natural world. This aligns with the latest research showing that children benefit most from environments that balance stimulation with opportunities for reflection and self-discovery.

The details

The Oasis for the Senses project was sparked by a chance meeting between Charlie Ray of The Green Room and the founders of ONE at an industry conference in Sweden. Inspired by ONE's work creating therapeutic spaces for children, Ray offered to host the founders and collaborate on designing a healing play space for Second Sky, a Tucson nonprofit serving families in the South Tucson area. After an extensive vetting process, Second Sky was selected as the partner for the project, which will transform their 12,000-square-foot community center and adjacent acre of undeveloped land.

  • In 2024, Charlie Ray attended an industry conference in Sweden where he met the founders of ONE.
  • Over the past several months, the Green Room team has donated their time, expertise, and studio space, and ONE has been working with Second Sky to actively fundraise for the project.
  • The site grading is complete, and the project is on track for Phase One to be completed by late spring 2026. Phases Two and Three will follow in late 2026 and early 2027.

The players

Charlie Ray

Owner of The Green Room Landscape Architecture, who connected with the founders of ONE and offered to collaborate on designing a healing play space for Second Sky.

Niels Hofstee and Michael Vrijhof

Founders of the Netherlands-based nonprofit Office for the New Earth (ONE), who have created therapeutic spaces for children at refugee camps.

Joseph O'Connell

Director of Second Sky, the Tucson nonprofit that was selected as the partner for the Oasis for the Senses project.

Second Sky

A community hub serving families in South Tucson with after-school programming, which has a 12,000-square-foot community center and an acre of undeveloped land that will be transformed into the Oasis for the Senses.

The Green Room Landscape Architecture

The local landscape architecture firm that is collaborating with ONE on the design and development of the Oasis for the Senses project.

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What they’re saying

“When we connected with Joseph at Second Sky, it was clear we had found our partner. Second Sky had an undeveloped parcel that was a blank canvas for creating a nature-inspired social space that could bring a true resource to southeast Tucson. And equally important was the nonprofit's mission to use the latest research in social and economic mobility to support vulnerable communities.”

— Charlie Ray, Owner, The Green Room Landscape Architecture

“We envision a sensory garden where Tucson children can come together to rediscover peace and fascination, stillness and adventure... a botanical oasis reconnecting children with nature, and finally with themselves, so they can embrace a spirit of light and joy, and grow into the visionaries of tomorrow.”

— Michael Vrijhof, Co-founder, Office for the New Earth

“Throughout the creation of this true oasis in the desert, we are continuing to serve hundreds of families every week. Second Sky is thriving and growing, and we can't wait to see Oasis for the Senses come to life!”

— Joseph O'Connell, Director, Second Sky

What’s next

The project team is currently seeking contributions for construction, irrigation, lighting, electricity, fencing, plantings, water features, soft and hardscape materials, along with monetary donations. Those interested in supporting the project can learn more at new-earth.one/oasisforthesenses.

The takeaway

The Oasis for the Senses project represents a unique collaboration between international and local partners to create a much-needed community resource in South Tucson, providing a therapeutic, nature-based play space that promotes peace, calm, and connection with the natural world for local families.