This morning I got a sneak peek tour of Phase One of the new Nature Playscape at Leslie Science & Nature Center. I had the opportunity to climb around and take some pictures to share. It is wonderful how much thought has been placed into every aspect of the design. They are currently trying to raise $50K to earn a match from the Song Family Fund and Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation. Check out their progress then hop to the bottom to find out how to help.
Vision
The Nature Playscape at Leslie Science & Nature Center is an outdoor space designed for play made of natural components such as plants, logs, water, sand, mud, boulders, hills and trees. These components represent the larger wild environment in a way that feels safe and manageable to young visitors. Construction of the Nature Playscape is a multi-year process that began in 2019.
Get more information on the nature playscape.
Events from our Sponsors
 Big Play DaySaturday, June 21 |  Ann Arbor Jaycees Summer CarnivalWednesday, June 19-Sunday, June 23 |  Ann Arbor Jaycees 4th of July ParadeFriday, July 4 |  Pee Wee Olympics & Foam PartySunday, July 20 |
Open Now
As with many large projects, construction is happening in phases. The first phase with the Messy & Loose Parts Building is open now.
Messy & Loose Parts Building
Kids are invited just into the woods to the Messy and Loose Parts Building area. There are lots of large sticks and limbs to gather and make structures against the various trees and branches in this area.. Each time you visit will be a different experience depending on what the previous group left.
Raptor Enclosures
From the parking lot, you will walk through the Raptor Enclosures to get to the Nature Playscape. Make sure to stop and visit the raptors while you are at the playscape.
Coming Soon
Active Zone
When we scheduled the tour, the hope was that the active zone would be nearly ready to open. But, the architect visited and suggested some improvements to the main structure that delayed the project. I could definitely see progress since my last visit on May 13.
The Active Zone is the most like a traditional playground, but with a nature twist. Kids will be able to clamber up logs to the top. They can climb rocks. Or they can take the log stairs built into the hill. They still need to add more clamber logs for kids to climb up the hill.
At the top is a tube slide that goes under the clamber logs to the bottom. This 32′ stainless steel slide is fairly steep and fast. Best save that for adventurous kids.
A second slide better for preschoolers will be on the backside of the structure. Currently this is a sandy hill. Once the slide is added, it will be seeded for grass.
The zone is being designed with accessibility in mind. The crawl through pipe is large enough to roll a wheelchair through. The slide tube is stainless steel – a safer material for children with medical devices like pacemakers and cochlear implants. The pathways are a compactable gravel that wheelchairs and strollers will be able to traverse. The pathways are designed with switchbacks to keep the grade at a maximum of 5%.
The final piece of this section is the life-size Eagles’ Nest. Kids will be able to let their imagination soar as they pretend to be an eagle.
Future Phases
Waterplay
The waterplay section will feature pumps that kids will use to control water flow. They will be able to play in the resulting stream and experiment by building dams. The water from the stream will be diverted into rain gardens.
Events from our Sponsors
Big Play DaySaturday, June 21 | Ann Arbor Jaycees Summer CarnivalWednesday, June 19-Sunday, June 23 | Ann Arbor Jaycees 4th of July ParadeFriday, July 4 | Pee Wee Olympics & Foam PartySunday, July 20 |
Treescape Net Climber
The Treescape Net Climber will give kids the chance to experience a Birds Eye View – or pretend they are squirrels scurrying across the treetops. With its position at the top of the hill, they won’t have to climb high to get a great view. The goal is to design the net climber with different zones for kids of differing abilities.
Teaching Space
The Teaching Space will allow them to offer outdoor classes while offering protection from the elements with partial walls, a roof, and possibly shade sails. It will include perches for flight demos, heated holding area for wildlife, and moveable and stationary seating. I love the idea of bringing more of their programming outdoors – with an option for shelter from sun and rain.
How to Help
Of course the completion of the project, requires having the funds to complete the project. This project started in 2019 and was delayed by the discovery of contaminated soil. Then, the pandemic caused additional delays and increased costs.
Donate Now
From June 3 through September 1, LSNC has received a $50K challenge gift from the Song Family Fund and the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation. These funds are being applied to the construction of the Eagle’s Nest and Teaching Space. They currently are just over the half-way mark to $50,000. Can you donate today to help them receive the full funds? You can scan this QR code, or click the image to go t the matching grant donaton page.
