What is Nature Play?

Can we define something that moves, changes and is purposefully open ended? Can we try to create a box for a wild creature with a mind of its own? Well, why not try? The Oregon Nature Play Initiative is in the process of doing just that. Below is our working definition of Natural Play. What do you think?

Natural Play challenges and fascinates children and teaches them about the wonders and intricacies of the natural world while they explore and play within it. It is intuitive and unstructured, constructive (or deconstructive), and timeless, encouraging interaction with natural materials, features, indigenous vegetation, and creative landforms. Natural Play is often a blend of materials and experiences to create purposely complex interplays of natural and environmental objects.

Do you have a nature play definition you like?

Like this wordle? You can create your own at http://www.wordle.net/create

What Does Nature Play Look Like?

Recently I have found myself in front of groups of people trying to explain what nature play is and what it looks like. The general concept is easy to grasp: nature and play. But, once we get down to specifics like materials, risk and maintenance a little more definition is needed.  I think we all have a different picture in our head on what nature play looks like and getting on the same page at the beginning of a conversation or project can save a lot of headaches later. I have started presenting nature play on continuums.  The imagery and concepts start to steer us towards more comfortable areas of the continuum for everyone involved.

I have found it helpful because different types of clients gravitate to different issues and continuums. Private and supervised sites can have a very different feel (focused toward an age group, more loose parts, more 'wild' maintenance) then open and public sights (vandalism proof, higher budget, larger target user group). What do you think? would this help you frame the conversation?

Nature Play Community Workshop

In Portland we celebrated St. Patrick's Day with a community design event for a nature play area that will be built in Westmoreland Park. I could not have anticipated how much the kids were going to enjoy the event. Their creativity, teamwork and ingenuity were all in full gear. It was an amazing start to an exciting project.

The Concept:
Portland Parks and Recreation and GreenWorks Landscape Architecture invited the community to play with natural materials, talk about natural play, make models and lay the groundwork for the upcoming design at the Westmoreland Park. The City of Portland recognizes the benefits of letting children play in nature; including physical, mental and social benefits. At a Parks and Recreation staff workshop earlier this week risk, maintenance and criteria for natural play were discussed.

The Activities:
Activities ranged from having adults remember their childhood play experiences, to free building and water play areas, to model making stations. The design team was able to talk with kids and adults about what they would like to see in the natural play area.

The Outcome:
We had fun! I think everyone enjoyed themselves. The kids were amazing. Nothing had to be explained, they just arrived and dove in. Kids of different ages and abilities were working together, creativity soared, and we got amazing feedback and ideas for the play area.

Nature Play Photos and Case Studies

Can't afford a trip to Germany to see all the wonderful playgrouds they have created? Germany is a hub for creative, adventure and alternative playgrounds. This series of case studies highlights many sites and examples. It is nicely organized in 9 colorful, photo packed case study docuents including:

1. Choice
2. Risk and Challenge
3. Nature with a capitol N
4. Play Machines
5. Sand
6. Shade and Seating
7. Topography
8. Variety and Texture
9. Water

These pictures instantly take me back to my travels in Germany. The photos and sites highlight many of the best aspects of Berlin's play spaces.

The Risk and Challenge Document highlights some of the same concerns we have in US playgrounds.
- Fire and water (although I have never seen fire actually being considered in the states)
- Heights
- Trip Hazards
- Supervision
- Loose Materials
- Thorns and Berries

See the full case studies here, A Case Study in Playground Design : Berlin Playgrounds.

Is your child's care facility measuring up?

The North American Association for Environmental Education has published their
Early Childhood Environmental Education Rating Scale. The Guidelines for Excellence identify six key characteristics for high-quality early childhood environmental education programs.

I think these guidelines are spot on and tuned to what todays kids need. They incorporate nature and environment right from the beginning and throughout the document. If only this rating scale was used everywhere, we would be creating true stewards of tomorrow. Below are some of my favorite sections.

Key Characteristic 1: Program Philosophy, and Purpose

Includes a Focus on Nature and the Environment.

Look for:

- appropriate specimen collection (e.g., flowers, leaves, insects, pinecones, nuts, rocks)

- adults as role models for the care of plants and animals in the environment

- the development of respect and a sense of stewardship

- modeling environmental responsibility in facility design, maintenance, materials, and waste management.

Key Characteristic 5: Places and Spaces

The integration of natural components throughout places and spaces is essential if elanring opportunities and development are to be maximized.
Look for:

- In outdoor areas, use of asphalt is reduced; gardens, woods, natural pathways, and other natural elements are incorporated.

- Natural materials are used to create the environment and objects for play both indoors and outdoors.

- Abundant “loose parts” (sticks, leaves, seeds, logs, stones), earth materials (soil, sand, and rocks), and “rough ground” (uneven, rocky, challenging areas) are included in the outdoor environment.

- Safe and supervised water features are provided.

- The outdoor areas are landscaped so as to be inviting to appropriate wildlife, including birds and bugs.

- Plants are incorporated into the indoor environment.

- Native plants are used in outdoor areas to help children know what their biological heritage is, to reduce maintenance, and to support native fauna such as butterflies and birds.

- Outdoor and indoor areas incorporate a wide variety of natural features and materials to promote interest and encourage interaction. Materials indoors are changed frequently and seasonal changes in the natural world are features.