Play, Explore, Grow, and Restore

Come experience the wonder of nature

Children’s Nature Playscape (CNP) is a nonprofit organization that stewards a nature-inspired play area centrally located in downtown Kalamazoo, Michigan. A vacant downtown lot was transformed into a fully accessible natural play area to promote sensory exploration and physical play with boulders, logs, sand, water, educational programs, and more!

Why a Nature Playscape?

Natural setting—unstructured play

Access to nature fosters exploration and imagination that is so important to young, growing minds and bodies.

Creating and promoting the use of natural areas where safe access is challenging, we can help reduce health disparities in marginalized communities.

Families who spend time in nature develop strong bonds, better communication, and enjoy time together.

Programs

How we play

01

Exploring in Nature

Come an play with us and explore nature with guided programming that focuses on learning about our natural world using hands-on crafts, demonstrations, exploration, and fun!

02

Reading in Nature

Our Reading in Nature programming complements the Exploring in Nature program themes. Stories are age-appropriate, and are read by the author or one of our Outdoor Educators.

01

Open Play

Explore the nature on your own terms! Climb on logs, splash in a stream, build a sand castle, or create some sidewalk art. Meet new friends and refresh your soul in our safe and welcoming space.

02

Partner Play

Are you part of a school, non-profit, community center, or other organization that serves children and families? Learn about how you can reserve the Playscape for your event.

Why us

Exposure to Natural Spaces is Essential

Connecting with nature offers many benefits for adults and children alike. But, it is especially beneficial in childhood development.
Our goal is to enhance underserved community health through :

Boost Cognitive Development

Real-time cause and effect with nature elements.

Stimulates Ceativity

Develop and excersize problem-solving skills.

Increases Concentration

Unstructured play provides a quiet space for learning.

Grows Motor Control

Sand, rocks, water, and logs challenges young bodies.

We are on a mission

Children's Nature Playscape provides children and their families with safe, equitable access to a natural play space where they can explore, grow, and restore their connection to the land. We strive to foster holistic child development through creating quality nature-based educational programming in the urban core of Kalamazoo.

What parent say

I remember watching the building next to the church being torn down and wondering what would take its place. When I learned that it was going to become a nature-based playscape, I was pleasantly surprised—who couldn't use more nature in their lives. Over the years, we've, made so many friends, learned about archery, algae, wildlife, and so many other things that weren't as easily accessible to our family before. The playscape has provided opportunities to explore, learn, and connect with nature in meaningful ways.

Anasia Monroe

What partners say

We have brought our entire Kindergarten class to the playscape for their end of year celebration the last few years and always have a wonderful time. The children make their own joy in such a thoughtfully designed setting, from playing in the stream to running around the grassy area. The staff consistently do an excellent job of supporting our organization as well, from early communications in the planning stage to enriching the experience for students on our visit. We are so grateful to have such a unique and accessible nature play experience right in downtown Kalamazoo!