Nature Play
Community Engagement: Nature Play
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About Nature Play
Inspired by neighboring resident requests, this project is about more than just outdoor play—it’s about access, connection, and belonging. Community Engagement for the Nature Play project at RMANWR is funded by the Colorado Health Foundation.
“The Colorado Health Foundation is bringing health in reach for all Coloradans by engaging closely with communities across the state through investing, policy advocacy, learning and capacity building.”
Through community engagement, we’ve identified key barriers that prevent under-resourced communities from fully accessing and enjoying the Refuge. One major challenge is a lack of awareness about the outdoor recreation opportunities available here. To address this, the Nature Play area is a stepping stone—an invitation for all people, especially families and youth, to form lasting connections with this unique prairie ecosystem.
The design of this Nature Play site centers community input through multiple opportunities at multiple locations neighboring the refuge for resident feedback and two volunteering opportunities at the project site.
Nature Play encourages exploration, confidence-building, and safe risk-taking in a space that is culturally relevant to the surrounding communities. Interpretive signs in both English and Spanish will ensure that information is welcoming and accessible. Located next to the visitor center’s youth Discovery Room, this space will also be ADA accessible, reinforcing our commitment to equitable access to nature.
We know that when children spend time in well-designed outdoor spaces, the benefits are profound—better physical health, stronger social-emotional skills, and a lifelong appreciation for the outdoors. By investing in this project, we are investing in our future—a future where nature is not only preserved but experienced, stewarded, and shared by all.
