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children's built environments

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Accessing 'nearby nature' often means improving the environments that children spend a majority of their time in....daycares, schools, neighborhood parks etc. Please help us share ideas, stories, and images of inspiring children's facilities.

Members: 95
Latest Activity: May 1

inspiring photos wanted!

Please post pictures of your inspiring nature play areas!

Discussion Forum

Water in playgrounds-information needed! 1 Reply

Hi all,So I'm embarking on an exciting but rather challenging project in the local City Park that will use iconic Florida landscapes (either recreated or symbolic) to allow families to play and…Continue

Tags: costs, design, playground, water

Started by Meghan Cox Mick. Last reply by Suz Lipman Mar 5.

How did your 2012 Let's G.O. (Get Outside) event go?!

We're so excited to hear about your April events! Please join the Let's G.O.! (Get Outside) group and post your stories and photos.Haven't heard of Let's G.O.! yet? It's not too late!Everyone can…Continue

Started by Daniella (Donna) Drader Apr 17, 2012.

Free Green Schoolyard Webinar Tomorrow: March 27th

Hi everyone,On Tuesday, March 27th (tomorrow!), from 7:30-8:30pm EST, I’ll be giving a webinar presentation for Green Teacher Magazine, based in Toronto, Canada, and I thought the topic might…Continue

Started by Sharon Danks Mar 26, 2012.

Building clubhouses, playhouses, forts 2 Replies

Hi,I'm and artist and part-time carpenter who built clubhouses as a kid.Now I'm writing a book, "The Clubhouse Builder's Handbook", a step-by-step guide for kids who want to build their own…Continue

Tags: clubhouses, Childrens

Started by Lee (Rusty) Mothes. Last reply by Lee (Rusty) Mothes Mar 11, 2012.

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Comment by Suz Lipman on September 20, 2012 at 8:57am: Congratulations C&NN Connect member Sharon Danks! Sharon's book “Asphalt to Ecosystems: Design Ideas for Schoolyard Transformation” recently received an Honor Award from the ASLA.

http://www.childrenandnature.org/news/detail/asphalt_to_ecosystems_...

Comment by Suz Lipman on August 17, 2012 at 9:21am: Congratulations Bill Hopple and all the folks behind the Cincinnati Nature Playscape Initiative! This article also mentions other C&NN associates who were instrumental in this project: Robin Moore and Natural Learning Initiative and Betsy Townsend and Leave No Child Inside OH.

The article says the playscape "grafts slice of wilderness onto a safe, secure playground", offering natural features while allaying the kinds of parental fears that keep kids away from nature and outdoor play. Well done!

Read about it here:

http://www.childrenandnature.org/news/detail/let_the_kids_go_wild/

Comment by Suz Lipman on July 2, 2012 at 10:27am: Thought you'd be interested in this story from Tennessee:

Natural Playground Inspires Kids to be More Active, Researchers Find.

http://www.childrenandnature.org/news/detail/natural_playground_ins...

Comment by Suz Lipman on May 1, 2012 at 11:47am: Congratulations Robin Moore & Nilda Cosco of the Natural Learning Initiative on being awarded the inaugural N.C. Children and Nature Coalition (NCCAN!)'s Natural Initiatives Award!

Read about it here:

http://www.childrenandnature.org/news/detail/moore_and_cosco_awarde...

Comment by Suz Lipman on March 26, 2012 at 1:58pm: Hi Everyone, Thought this would be of interest:

This wonderful new natural playground in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada encourages imaginative play. It is designed by C&NN associate Adam Bienenstock of Bienenstock Natural Playgrounds.

http://www.childrenandnature.org/news/detail/kids_playground_goes_b...

Comment by Carmen Field on March 8, 2012 at 10:47am: RFP for Innovative Denver Playground > RE-IMAGINE PLAY

If any of you design natural play spaces, or know folks who do, please let them know about this great opportunity:

Denver Parks and Recreation (DPR) is challenging currently accepted definitions of play and is looking to re-think play as a unique, multi-faceted experience in an urban, multi-generational space in Denver’s Historic City Park. Highly motivated, qualified and experienced design teams are asked to submit their qualifications and ideas for this challenge. The new space will be unique and will include community context and advocacy. Learn more and see the complete RFP at http://www.denvergov.org/parksandrecreation/Parks/ReimaginePlay/tab....

Comment by Meghan Cox Mick on January 19, 2012 at 12:03pm: Great. Will do Suz and will post what I hear. Hope you are well!

Comment by Suz Lipman on January 19, 2012 at 11:59am: Hi Meghan - I'm so glad you're interested in this. I would contact Robin and/or the Natural Learning Initiative. Let me know if that works. Good luck!

Comment by Meghan Cox Mick on January 19, 2012 at 11:30am: Hi Suz,

Any idea how to be a part of this? The link didn't provide a contact. Would it be Robin Moore directly or someone with the NWF?

Thanks for sharing!

Meghan

Comment by Suz Lipman on January 17, 2012 at 9:52am: Hi All,

I'm sharing an opportunity that has come my way:

Natural Play and Learning Areas Design Guidelines Project

National Wildlife Federation and the Natural Learning Initiative are soliciting professionals to serve on technical advisory committees to advise on the development of design guidelines for natural play and learning areas. The project will develop comprehensive guidelines for designing and managing natural play and learning environments at all of the major settings where children play and learn—schools, childcare centers, residences, museums, botanical gardens, arboreta, zoos, nature centers, parks, and public lands.

Information about the project can be found at http://www.nwf.org/Get-Outside/Be-Out-There/Why-Be-Out-There/Policy...