Nature Explorer Zone - Nature Play Area

About the Program

Category: Parks and Recreation (Best in Category)

Year: 2011

In 2008, Mecklenburg County's Parks and Recreation Department hosted a Designing Natural play Areas professional workshop with noted experts in the field. Following the workshop, community groups, educators, planners, and most importantly, kids, helped to design the County's first such play area. After raising $50,000 in grants, the "Nature Explorer Zone," as it is called, opened in May 2010 with an outstanding reception. The area features nine interactive areas, such as stump jumps, fort building, balance beams, music and drama, a custom-made "bird house" play structure, etc. Each incorporates play design principles. The County's goals are being realized insofar as children are playing outside longer and having richer play experiences in a natural setting. Visitation to the adjacent nature center has increased 30%. Word has spread, and it has been featured in magazine articles and at national conferences. More of such play areas are planned for the future.