This Kirby Nature Playscape project began in 2019 with a vision to provide a fun, educational, and immersive nature experience for young children around the prairie. Our hope is that the Playscape will create a deep love and care for nature (and hopefully inspire a few future conservationists). Over the past few months, tremendous progress has been made in creating the Playscape and we are close to realizing our vision!
Thanks to recent gifts from Duke Energy, the Elsa Heisel Sule Foundation, and individual contributors we worked with contractors and an AmeriCorps NCCC community service team to complete a new easy-access prairie trail, gathering terrace, gazebo, and seating areas. The prairie trail is designed for everyone, of any age and ability, to take a lovely stroll. From this path, that circles around the prairie, visitors can closely observe native pollinator plants and the diverse animals and insects that benefit from this rich habitat. At the gathering terrace and gazebo, parents can watch their children play or groups can meet for nature talks, firefly watching, storytelling, musical events, and much more.
Up next we will install fencing, educational signage of the native prairie plants and pollinators, and activity stations for children. Activity stations will be designed to encourage free-form nature play, learning, physical activity, artistic creation, and socialization. Our Playscape committee is fortunate to consult with Dr. Leslie Kochanowski of the UC Arlitt Early Education Center on the “loose parts” nature play concept. The Playscape will utilize lots of natural “loose parts” like pinecones, leaves, acorns, sticks, and rocks which will spark creativity and self-directed immersive play. We will provide natural materials, and the children will bring their imaginations.
Logs, sticks, and other building materials will be provided in the fort building area. A fossil dig area will give children the experience of discovering animals that lived eons ago in the vast ancient sea that once covered the area. We are also creating a willow tunnel, vernal pool, balance log, and other climbing log play structures. As much as possible we are using nature-sourced materials gathered from our preserves such as logs for balance beams and fossil-laden creek rocks.
Thanks to all of the amazing volunteers who have contributed to the playscape and the prairie, especially all of the dedicated board members who continue to restore, maintain, and grow the prairie habitat. We rely upon volunteers to provide free accessible educational opportunities for youth that help foster connections with nature. If you would like to learn more or help out with the playscape project or prairie restoration, please contact staff@westernwildlifecorridor.org.
