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sand, stepping stones, grasses and perennials to create areas of interest that are <br />accessible for all ages. They are durable and utilize available space in a thoughtful way. <br />●Elements can be incorporated that work across all seasons. <br />●Design works in harmony with nature. <br />●The design appeals to and engages all ages rather than being limited to a specific age <br />group. <br />●A natural playscape has the ability to provide 10 times the amount of activities and <br />features as a traditional, fabricated play structure and uses the land on which it’s built <br />much more effectively. <br />●There is a profound difference between a natural playscape and a “nature inspired play <br />structure”. <br />Benefits: <br />●Children and adults alike benefit from play. <br />●People of all ages can enjoy a natural play area because there are no age restrictions. <br />●Unstructured nature play stimulates creativity, increases independence, improves mental <br />health, encourages collaborative play, and fosters multigenerational relationships. <br />●There are many benefits of natural play versus play that is limited to “single use” <br />equipment. <br />●There is no substitute for nature. <br />●A well planned and thoughtfully created nature playscape can bring a community <br />together as citizens work toward a shared purpose. <br />●Natural design benefits the environment, rather than working against it. <br />●Opportunity to source materials and labor locally or perhaps even have some of it <br />donated. <br />●Opportunity to partner with Orono Rotary Club, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, business <br />owners, individuals, local and national organizations who want to support this unique <br />community feature. <br />Who is already doing this? <br />●A quick Google search details many schools (both public and private), city parks, child <br />care centers and even museums implementing natural play areas. <br />●Holly Heitkamp (Parks Director in Moorhead, MN) is in the process of planning and <br />building a riverfront playscape in partnership with the Rotary Club. <br />●Maplewood Nature Center in Maplewood, MN partnered with nearby Century College on <br />a nature play area that has been a huge success. <br />●I’ve spoken at length to the co-owner of a nature play area company. He partners with <br />his father and has been designing and building naturel play areas for 25 years. They <br />have done the research necessary to design play areas that meet safety standards while <br />also being visually appealing and engaging for every age.